With the ushering in of 1993, the World Sikh News enters the 9th year. These eight years have been eventful for the World Sikh News. Although it does not speak for any particular group, of faction or Organization, the newspaper identifies itself with the Sikh cause the demand for self-determination for Sikhs and the current struggle in Punjab for human rights. On these issues, the newspaper and its management will never make any compromise. While the Indian propaganda machine wants the world to believe that Sikhs in Punjab and elsewhere are mere terrorists, the WSN has all along held that essentially the Sikh armed struggle in Punjab is for democracy, freedom and peace. Indian diplomats are not tried of telling the world that their country is the largest democracy in the world and that India’s polity is democratic and secular and that Delhi has commenced a policy of economic liberalization at home. The WSN has been refuting these claims as false. India’s electoral system is spurious. It ensures the upper caste domination of the Indian society. The country’s secular pretensions are fake. This has been amply with government’s active connivance with those who destroyed the historic Babri masjid. The Indian Hindu society has a streak of fascism about it. This is evident from the black laws enacted by the country and a near complete domination of India by its armed forces. As for India’s economic liberalization, the WSN has repeatedly shown that a reactionary, semi fascist system cannot produce economic or any other liberalization. The WSN makes bold to predict that India will soon in a few years come formally under military rule, The foundations of this political eventuality are being laid back by brick. India’s civil administration cannot keep the country in one piece, it being an artificial entity. It is necessary to keep public opinion leaders in the west posted with the Indian reality and the WSN is doing its bit in this respect. The course of events in India has broadly confirmed the line of thinking with the events in Ayodhia coming as an eye-opener. The WSN is not only serving the Sikh cause but also the cause of truth vis-à-vis India.
In the course of coverage of the militant struggle, the WSN emphasized the need for an over ground mass movement in Punjab to supplement and strengthen the underground armed campaign. An ideal opportunity to do so was the past election weeks. We recommended that some sort of an economic boycott of India in Punjab should be organized. Further, it was our view that domination of important segments of media in Punjab, by Congress(I) men and women was a Stumbling block in the way of the movement’s progress. In our opinion, the militant leaderships could have persuaded leading news establishments to bring about basic reforming in their managements. Another recommendation we made was that innocent person, not connected with the Indian state, should not be harmed any way. Unfortunately, none of our suggestions received any meaningful response from the quarters who really matter. Instead political novices took early advisory positions. There was an unending stream of press releases militants were happy to see their names appearing in newspapers mostly on nonissues. Some said Mr. A should be Registrar of X university. Others said Y firm should be contacted for the supply of in jail typewriters. Still others insisted that Punjabi professors should get special increments. Many others explained they had eliminated Mrs. C for being immoral. A few claimed responsibility for killings in connection with the movement. It is necessary to ponder over the past and learn lessons for the future. Within Punjab active steps are still needed to bring about reforms in the managements of the media, an over ground movement and amend to innocent killings. Internationally, the Sikh movement can and should have its own powerful, professionally run media. The WSN is a political newspaper. It cannot afford to stoop to a level many other newspapers can. That leaves us with meager resources. Despite our best efforts, we have yet to make the WSN as a legitimate carrier of Sikhs news from all over the world. Considering our financial setting, the very existence of the WSN for eight years is an achievement. It sincerely hoped that Sikh opinion makers and leaders will realize the importance of running and strengthening WSN as a historic necessity.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 8, 1993
