There is much sabre rattling going on in the subcontinent again over Kashmir. In both India and Pakistan there is much rabble rousing and of course Delhi has ham handedly tried to crush the uprising with its Army and police. Nothing it seems was learnt in Punjab where similar measures only further strengthens the resolve of the Sikhs to have nothing to do with the selfish banias.
In Kashmir the populace has risen as one man to tell India enough is enough and that it should play its dirty games elsewhere. Suppression will only hasten India’s impending demise. Rugged Kashmir is possibly better than Afghanistan for guerrilla warfare.
The writing on the wall was ignored in 1948 and it is being ignored in 1990. How many armed revolts will it finally take for the scales of prejudice and stupidity to finally fall from the eyes of Delhi. Punjab became Khalistan on June 2, 1984 the day the Indian army entered the holy Harmandir Sahib. Kashmir ‘was never a part of India. The Kashmiris were kept “happy” with massive subsidies and a special status with a constitution of its own.
In 1948 Pakistan and India fought over Kashmir India grabbed a substantial territorial chunk which it said would be freed after a UN supervised referendum. That India will never agree to such a plebiscite caused a war in 1965. The most decorated soldiers in both these wars were Sikhs on the Indian side. Well how were these brave men to know that for whom they put their lives on the line were self-seeking opportunists. In 1971 spearheading war valiant Sikh soldiers sundered Pakistan in two. A sad day indeed one disclaims with the benefit of hind sight.
This is 1990. Much has happened since August 15, 1947 the darkest day in Sikh history. The day in which circumstances put the brave martial race under the rule of bigoted money lenders and shop keepers. This very narrow selfish and bullying race of servile people did much better than could be expected they managed to keep a motley collection of peoples together by force, coercion and deceit for 40 odd years. Believe it or not there are many more who ‘would stand up like the Sikhs or Kashmiris but for the helplessness of extreme poverty. After all what has India to offer but malaise and misery?
The earlier wars were also a means to divert the attention of a poor nation. Today it will be a war for survival. Let the world see what Hindustan can do without the support of its minorities.
It is also ironic that while the west has tremendous. Sympathy with Ludhiana it ignores as an internal problem of the India the struggle of the Sikhs and Muslims. The struggles will be taken to their just and logical conclusions with or without any support.
Why is India hesitant in 1990 where it boldly plunged in 1965 and 1971? Not only because its hands are full murdering its own people but because they have to face the bullets themselves. The Sikhs are fighting against them this time and they know it. This is also an opportunity for all minorities to choose to stand up.
Article extracted from this publication >> April 20, 1990
