The critics of the demand for a sovereign Khalistan don’t tire of asserting that partitioning of India will make her weak and unstable.
Nothing could be farther from truth, considering the past history and cultural traditions of the Region.
Similar objections were raised against the partitioning of the subcontinent to create Pakistan, but both India and Pakistan emerged stronger than the unified India, from which the two states were carved out.
Again, the same objection was raised when the people of East Pakistan wanted to succeed from Pakistan and create the state of Bangladesh, Yet, twenty years after the creation of Bangladesh, both Pakistan and Bangladesh are stronger than a United Pakistan, harassed by the rivalries and incompatibilities of the two wings, and burdened with the task of keeping them together.
In unity, no doubt, lies strength—but only when unity emerges from hearts. Unity forced on unwillingly, disgruntled or suspicious constituents only breeds disaffection and disunity—and proves the source of weakness rather than strength.
Events since Indian independence 43 years ago, and especially over the past six years, clearly shows that Khalistan is no more a willing constituent of India, that the Indian rulers are trying forcibly to keep Khalistan in their stranglehold.
Even if they do succeed in retaining Khalistan a captive in their tentacles for some time more, it will be a forced unity, not a voluntary one—and will continue to take a heavy toll of the resources of India in her bid to hang on to it.
And the cultural traditions of the subcontinent, evolved over thousands of years and based on wisdom uninhibited by clichés, tell us that even real brothers should not be forced to live in the same house if their differences become unsurmountable, that their natural affinity should be given a chance to survive these differences by partitioning their ancestral home.
The saner alternative would be the pursuit of a unity emerging from the hearts of the constituents—unity based on equality and goodwill, in pursuit of common interests.
Such unity can only take the form of a Confederation of Sovereign states of the region, based on equality, cooperation and mutual Respect.
While the present, enforced, unity can only generate bitterness and lead to eventual disintegration of India; a confederation of sovereign states of the subcontinent could prove the starting point fora glorious future for all its constituents.
(Khalistan Gazette)
Article extracted from this publication >> November 16, 1990
