JALANDHAR: Mr Harkishen Singh Surjit a member of the CPM Politburo described as an insult to Sikhs Mr Simranjit Singh Mann’s offer to send members of the community to the Gulf to fight in the war with the allied forces against Iraq.

Addressing a Press conference here Mr Surjit asked the Akalis to choose between the American stooges and the nationalist forces He felt an axis was being formed in the country to support the USA which had endangered the lives of millions of people in West Asia.

Mr Surjit said Mr Mann had no right to speak on behalf of the entire Sikh community Mr Mann’s ancestors might have supported the British during World War II but not all Sikhs.

Referring to the memorandum submitted by Mr Mann to Mr Chandra Shekhar Prime Minister in which he had quoted Sir Winston Churchill in support of his demand for self-determination Mr Surjit pointed out that it was Sit Winston who had opposed independence for India and described Indian leaders as rascals.

The CPM leader urged Mr Chandra Shekhar not to depend on Mr Mann for a solution of the Punjab problem in view of his recent utterances.

Mr Surjit said Mr Chandra Shekhar should change his stand on talks with militants as they were not prepared for negotiations.

On the aircraft refueling issue Mr Surjit said the government should immediately stop as all political parties including the BJP and the Congress (I) had opposed it.

He suggested a four point formula to solve the Punjab problem. The foremost task before the government was to enforce its writ in Punjab. A stern warning should be issued to the anti-national forces that any attempt against the unity and integrity of the country would not be tolerated. More job opportunities should be created for the youth. A unilateral announcement accepting the demands of Punjab should also be made.

These steps would go a long way in isolating the militants and help in the emergence of a new leadership among the Sikhs for a solution to the problem.

He warned that if urgent steps were not taken by the government there could be large-scale migration from Punjab endangering the unity and integrity of the country. It would also have a chain reaction outside Punjab.

Mr Surjit appealed to the people to register their mother tongue as Punjabi during the census. The census was completed on February 28.

Article extracted from this publication >> March 8, 1991