Dear Editor:

VIOLENCE IN PUNJAB

Peace is but a dream of the past India since 1982, News pouring in from home is simply distressing. Life there is full of uncertainty and exasperation. Violence in Punjab is common place since 1984 Despite all security arrangements. Recent Killings of innocent bus passengers in Punjab , will be unanimously deplored by all reasonable persons, Hindus and Sikhs alike, despite their mutual difference and hatred. It serves no meaningful purpose. It cannot be denied that maintenance of Law and Order is the prime responsibility of the Government. But, what if the Government itself, in the guise of ‘maintaining Law and Order” massacres innocent old, young, men, ‘women and children pilgrims, in thousands, as has been done want only in Operation Blue Star, without notice and regret — if the preplanned slaughter, rape, and arson is executed by or at the behest of the Government, without remorse, as was done subsequent to the assassination of Mrs. Gandhi, in the name of a big tree” falling and shaking the earth. If unarmed revolutionaries are shot dead, at point blank range, in fake and sham border encounters, with Outnumber, not to mention thousands of those still missing and those rotting in different ails of the country, without warrant and trial, such stray incidents, as above, may also have to be accepted as a natural consequence of a calculated policy on the part of the “benign” Government.

If, however, the Government is Sincerely concerned about the whole affair and is honestly keen to reestablish peace and order, the Least she ought to do is to convene an impartial Inquiry Commission, in public, o probe into the detailed causes of the entire trouble, from the beginning; and the culprits, whosoever they may be, irrespective of his or her political and social status, be dealt with severely, 0 ensure no recurrence. But, no, never!! Our government is basically averse {o justice and fair play. This kind of democratic process is not acceptable to our kind of democracy in India. It is only in America that Public Opinion could force Nixon out of the White House and where President Reagan is answerable to the public for his conduct or misconduct with regard to the Iranian issue. In India, the Government has lately become very secretive. Let alone the Public, the President of India has no access to the proceedings findings of the Thakur Com: mission, report on the assassination of Mrs. Indira Gandhi. According to Justice Thakur, the report should be kept secret for at least 30 years. Likewise, proceedings of Mishra Commission on 1984 riots in Delhi, are denied to the Rashtrapati as also to the public. If this is not enough, reports by K.M. Mathew and Venkatramia, on Chandigarh, are also well guarded secrets even from the President, Punjab Government and the Public. Obviously, these reports have neither yet been nor are these ever intended to be placed before the Parliament for discussion. Offenders and culprit’s meeting justice. in such a regime, is a cry in the wilderness. Although, it is highly skeptical how much  If at all  the findings are fair and above board; yet, because the findings of the reports are not made public, there is sufficient Reason to believe that there is a lot ‘of antigovernment substance in the recorded findings which the ‘Government is trying so very hard to hide from the public and the world at large; and it only proves the point of the Sikhs that the government has lost the public confidence.

Anyway, is it not a shame for the country that the proceedings of commission report, no matter howsoever sensitive the subject matter may be, are beyond the reach of the President, for apparently no other reason than that he is a Sikh; although an ex communicated one by the Sikhs, for their own reasons, What could be more disgraceful example of discrimination for the Sikhs to quote?

Until the Government overhauls its attitude without reservation and comes forward with a lean breast to bring the culprits and wrongdoers to book and make a solemn vow to run the administration in a strictly secular, democratic and fair for all style, trouble will Continue to brew, much to our disappointment, which is neither in the interest of the public nor the government. No amount of military force can ever usher much sought after peace and tranquility. Temporary lull, yes!

Narendra Singh Denver, Colorado

Article extracted from this publication >> December 26, 1986