By Narinder Singh
“Liberation of Khalistan” (WSN 6/24) is a very meaningful essay setting forth the ideal doctrine on which to base the foundation of Khalistan. Despite the lofty ideals and the best wishes, it is yet impossible to honestly foretell the exact kind of Khalistan we are actually heading for, consequent to our ongoing freedom struggle and endless sacrifices. But if the present scenario and the persistent ‘disunity’ and factionalism amongst the Sikhs, in the face of the worst crisis in the Sikh history, are the forerunner of the inevitable “Khalistan,” it is not difficult to predict that it would be. In my humble view, it is too early to dwell on this point as yet.
It would only sidetrack the main issue and dissipate our energies and help our enemy, by trying to annunciate the outlines of the “Constitution of Khalistan,” at this point of time, from the main problem at hand.
For the present, we ought to pool all our resources to prove to the world and rebut the mass “disinformation” propaganda launched by the Indian Government. In fact our record of sacrifices, our unparalleled bravery and industrious nature have made us a proud and affluent community and that. Alone is the cause of ‘jealousy’ by the majority Hindu society. Before we encounter the malicious propaganda, we have to sink all our inner differences, at once and for good; and make an all-out effort to educate the misinformed world that we are in fact peace loving, hardworking but self-respecting beings, being tortured by selfish barbarous regime only to win on the ‘Electoral’ front, which they are losing, consistently, bit by bit. Just for protesting against the diversion of Punjab river waters to neighboring states — (Punjab is essentially an agricultural state and the present water resources are barely enough to meet the minimum needs), Operation Blue Star was launched, killing over 10,000 men, women and children in Amritsar, desecrating the Sikhs holiest shrine, The Golden Temple.
We have to demonstrate our peaceful nature and loving character and educate the world, by whatever means available to us, that all peaceful and democratic means have failed in persuading the Government to see reason. Basic human rights having been persistently denied — Punjab economy having been deliberately impoverished — a simple political issue has been made into a scandalous complex communal problem, by scheming Hindu Government, on purpose, to adopt a devious genocidal policy to eliminate the Sikh community, politically, economically, socially and possibly physically, for the past four years, with no intention in sight to come to terms. The Sikhs are, therefore, left with no option but to revolt and resist for their survival — they are left with no choice than to demand parting with the age old relationship with the cunning though meek looking Hindu regime.
Sikhs’ courage was underestimated, their countJess sacrifices and history was fore saken, solemn promises of the founding fathers betrayed — abundance of our patience and forbearance was misinterpreted as “weakness” and thus our peaceful protests failed to have any desired impact on the Government.
The Hindu Government has to be reminded, more by our actions than words, that Sikhs are the best allies and tolerant but their patience is not unlimited. To fight against “injustice” is their religion, no matter how strong the opposition may be — no matter how grave the risk involved may be. The humiliation suffered, the sentiments injured and the hatred incurred, let alone the thousands upon thousands of lives lost and billions of dollars’ worth of property destroyed, leave Sikhs with no choice but to have their own sovereign homeland where they may live peacefully and practice their faith without external interference.
The world has, however, to be explicitly made known that the demand for “Khalistan” is not of our own making, nor was “Pakistan” the making of Muslims, in the first place. Both are the creation of the highhandedness of chauvinistic Hindu fundamentalists. Only a very strong diplomatic move by a large hearted and honest statesman can possibly avert the course which, unfortunately is nowhere in sight on the horizon. She has also to be cautioned that if the Government obstinately continues to make it a prestige issue and tries to solve it by force, not only the ‘failure’ is inevitable but also such futile efforts are fraught with grave consequence of national disintegration; and India’s map may be changed. God forbid, to something like pre British are of 18th century.
Article extracted from this publication >> August 12, 1988
