Critics often described P.H.R.O. as a “negative” organisation which only “criticised” Government’s actions and did not offer a set .of proposals to help solve the problem.
There appears to be a misunderstanding about the role and nature of the functioning of P.H.R.O. It has a limited role to play : to examine and to bring to light violation of human rights enshrined in the U.N. Charter. P.H.R.O, does not claim to be a political party, much less the one with
any popular (electoral) credentials, nor it intends playing any such role.
Since the Punjab problem has been complicated by the persistent violation of human rights by the Central aril State governments over the past few years, a rolling back of the evil process could, in the opinion of P.H.R.O., contribute a great deal towards restoring normalcy so that a solution could be devised within the democratic framework rather than through conflict and war.
Delhi must respect Punjab’s rights
P.H.R.O. as such made a set of recommendations to help solve the Punjab problem. These reconrinendations, if honestly implemented unilaterally by the Government of India, would unleash their own dynamics to create an atmosphere conducive to a negotiated settlement within the framework
of Indian unity, but not within the framework of Indian Constitution, which in any case, could be amended :
- In the first instance the 59th amendment to the
Constitution should be rescinded. In addition, all the anti-
democratic, black laws enacted for Punjab should be repealed.
- All prisoners held in connection with the Punjab problem should be set free or tried under the normal democratic laws.
- All those responsible for the November 1984 massacre of Sikhs following Mrs Gandhi’s assassination should be brought to book as speedily as possible. Those responsible for fake encounters in Punjab should also face the process of law.
- There should be a head-count of the casualities resulting from the political turmoil in Punjab. There is absence of knowledge of those who suffered at the hands of the State and its agencies. The State has been odd-Landed all these years : it has only given the lists of casualities as a result of violence indulged in by private groups and individuals. Without the head-count, a proper plan of relief and rehabilitation cannot be thought of.
- Those who lost their positions in public and private sector services as a sequel to the Punjab problem should be reinstated. These include military and police officials whose services were dispensed with under emotional stress by the authorities.
- In keeping with the spirit and social aims of the rational freedom movement reflected finally in the All India Congress Working Committee resolution favouring the creation of a “Punjabi speaking State out of the (then) existing State of Punjab”, strictly on linguistic basis. Thus, not only the Punjabi speaking areas in Haryana and Rajasthan but also those in Himachal Pradesh should be merged into Punjab. More specifically the areas comprising Bhakra,
Pong and other hydro-electric projects should be transferred to Punjab.
Autonomy is the only solution
- The constitutional right of Punjab to its river water resources (Entry 17, List II, Schedule 7) should be restored and respected in toto and not curbed or curtailed through devious means. In turn, Punjab should show goodwill towards its neighbours and allow water supplies on the basis of equitable bilateral, time-bound agreements on consideration. The controversial, politically motivated, S.Y.L. canal should be dismantled forthwith.
The implementation of the above-mentioned schedule
will create its own momentum to pave the way for a negotiated settlement of the Punjab issue on the basis of liberal autonomous powers granted to Punjab. No harm will come
to India if powers are similarly transferred to other States as well. An in-built mutual dependence of different nations in India could be provided in the new scheme of Constitution which should also incorporate the U.N. principle of peoples right of self-determination where mutual dependence fails.
