By Satnam Singh
FRESNO, CA: Nelson Mandela’s recent release after 27 years of internment has been overwhelming applauded all over the world. The worldwide welcome to the accord by democratic institutions signifies not only the condemnation of racially unjust policies against the majority black community, but also serves as an endorsement of Mandela’s armed struggle to end apartheid.
Immediately after his release from jail a defiant Mandela said, “Our resort to armed struggle was a purely defensive action the violence of apartheid.” He further said, “The factors which necessitated the armed struggle in 1960 still exist today. We have no option but to continue.””
Nelson Mandela was sent to prison in 1964 for charges of high treason in the form of armed insurrection against South African government.
Similar call was given by Sikh leader Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale almost a decade ago, when he launched an armed struggle to get justice for the Sikhs in India. As other peaceful means to address Sikh problems failed he felt the need for armed struggle to get justice.
Claiming his actions being self-defensive in nature he advised Sikhs to arm themselves in order to fight tyranny.
However, propaganda blitz unleashed by Indian government labeled Bhindranwale and Sikhs all over the world as terrorists, as has happened earlier in sixties with Mandela and his ANC.
Now, it seems like that the brutal acts of minority white South African government to deny the basic human rights to 29 million blacks have ultimately convinced the world that the demands of Mandela and ANC are just. Nobody now calls him or his organization terrorist anymore.
Parallel can also be drawn between Mandela and ANC on overall limitation one hand and Bhindranwale and Sikhs on the other. World bodies will similarly defend Sikhs armed struggle if they continue to adhere to Bhindranwale legacy.
Indian government might be in a quandary as it has whole heartedly supported Mandela, ANC and black freedom struggle. How could Indian government convince the world any longer that the armed struggle by Sikhs to achieve freedom is an act of terrorism, when it whole heartedly supported the armed struggle launched by Mandela and his people since 1960?
Article extracted from this publication >> February 23, 1990
