Understanding Punjab, Sikhism, and Khalistan: Part 3

• For ten long years, from 1983 Punjab was tormented by a relentless campaign of terror; but by 1993, the terrorists had been comprehensively defeated, and peace returned to the state but the victory came at a huge cost with great sacrifices.
• The Khalistan movement’s demand for a separate Sikh state remained a source of tension in India during the 1980s and early 1990s.
• It’s important to note that these political mistakes were not isolated incidents but part of a complex web of historical, social, and political factors.
• The present-day Punjab is now afflicted by near-unimaginable magnitudes of corruption, which can bankrupt the state, provoke an exodus of capital and industry and pressure the ailing agricultural sector, plunging deeper into debt and farmer suicides.

_{(This is the 3rd and concluding part in a series on Understanding Punjab, Sikhism, and Khalistan. Part 1 and Part 2 can be read here)}

Pre and Post-Independent Punjab Politics and the Political Mistakes and the Rise of Khalistan

In part three of this essay, I analyse how, when and why the religion of Sikhism which is one of the sects of Sanatana Dharma took to more monotheistic beliefs with an Abrahamic mindset by a subset of Sikhs in the Punjab region. “Also, how a small group deliberately distorted the message of Sikhism and used the Gurudwaras as a stepping stone to an even more lucrative destination and  gave power to rapists and murderers, they even justified their most heinous actions in the name of an invented mythology of the ‘oppression’ of the Sikhs (Punjab The Knights of Falsehood 1997).”

The present-day Punjab is now afflicted by near-unimaginable magnitudes of corruption, to bankrupt the state and provoke an exodus of capital and industry that has put pressure on the ailing agricultural sector as it plunges deeper into debt and farmer suicides, in what was once the most flourishing agrarian economy in the country and a model for the developing world. A decade of terrorism failed to destroy the economy, but the depredations of elected leaders, politics, and foreign intervention thereafter have devastated the state.

As the Sikh religion has grown over the years, many sects have developed and a proper analysis of that is not possible in this desecration. Also, missing will be the infusion of new culture and customs that has given rise to neo-Sikhs who suffer from the “cut flower culture” spiritual rootlessness of modern Punjab. 

For ten long years, from 1983 Punjab was tormented by a relentless campaign of terror; but by 1993, the terrorists had been comprehensively defeated, and peace returned to the state but the victory came at a huge cost with great sacrifices. It was a victory that subsumed thousands of brave men in the Punjab police and brave civilians who took charge against terrorism. Hundreds of brave men and women in the Punjab countryside eventually confronted the terrorists and helped bring their depredations to an end leading to the end of one of the most bloodiest, protracted and complex low-intensity wars in India. 

Political and Social Conditions Post-Independence  

The Khalistan movement is a separatist movement that emerged among some sections of the Sikh community in India, primarily in the 1970s and 1980s. The movement seeks to create an independent Sikh state called Khalistan in the Punjab region of India. The origins of the Khalistan movement can be traced back to several factors:

1. Historical Context: The demand for Khalistan has its roots in historical grievances and perceived discrimination against Sikhs in India. Sikhs have a distinct religious and cultural identity, and they have a history of resistance against perceived injustices dating back to British colonial rule and post-independence India.
2. Language and Cultural Issues: Discontent among Sikhs was fueled by language and cultural issues. The Punjabi Suba movement in the 1950s and 1960s sought the linguistic and administrative reorganization of Punjab. While this resulted in the creation of a Punjabi-speaking state, it did not fully address the concerns of Sikhs.
3. Sikh Religious Revivalism: During the 1970s, there was a resurgence of Sikh religious and political activism. The Anandpur Sahib Resolution, adopted by the Akali Dal (a Sikh political party), in 1973 demanded greater autonomy for Punjab and recognition of Sikhs’ distinct religious identity. (Singh, Mohinder, The Akali Movement, Delhi, Macmillan, 1978)
4. Operation Blue Star: The turning point in the Khalistan movement came in June 1984 when the Indian government launched Operation Blue Star to remove Sikh militants, led by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who had fortified the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar. The operation resulted in significant damage to the holy Sikh shrine and the death of many militants, along with civilian casualties. This event deeply angered Sikhs and led to increased support for the Khalistan cause. (Operation-Blue-Star-True-Story 2003)
5. Assassination of Indira Gandhi: In retaliation for Operation Blue Star, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards on October 31, 1984. This tragic event triggered anti-Sikh riots in which thousands of Sikhs were killed in Delhi and other parts of India. (The Great Betrayal Assassination of Indira Gandhi By Dilip Bobb, Asoka Raina)
6. Militancy and Violence: Following these events, Sikh militant groups, such as the Khalistan Liberation Force and the Babbar Khalsa, became more active. They engaged in violent activities, including bombings, assassinations, and hijackings, to promote their cause. (Jaijee, Inderjit Singh, Politics of Genocide: Punjab 1984-1994).

The Khalistan movement’s demand for a separate Sikh state remained a source of tension in India during the 1980s and early 1990s. The Indian government took various measures to suppress the insurgency, leading to significant loss of life and political instability in Punjab. Over time, the movement lost much of its support and momentum due to government crackdowns and a desire for peace and stability among the Sikh population.

The Khalistan movement had largely lost its prominence and support among the people, but it’s essential to recognize that the situation may have evolved since then. However, there are local and foreign interests that have vested interests to destabilize Punjab and stop its growth. Recent attempts to revive this terror movement have been met with resistance. 

Political Mistakes in Punjab

The Indian state made several political mistakes in Punjab both before and after partition, which contributed to political unrest and violence in the region. These mistakes are complex and interconnected, and they have far-reaching consequences. Here are some of the key political mistakes:

Pre-Partition (Before 1947):

1. Partition of Punjab: The partition of Punjab in 1947 along religious lines, dividing the province into East Punjab (India) and West Punjab (Pakistan), led to one of the most significant population migrations and communal violence in history. The hasty and poorly planned partition perpetrated by the British resulted in the displacement, murder and suffering of millions of people.

2. Failure to Address Religious Tensions: The Indian state, along with the British colonial administration, struggled to effectively address religious tensions in Punjab during the pre-partition period. Efforts to maintain harmony and prevent violence often fell short.

3. Dispute over Boundary Line: The boundary demarcation between East and West Punjab was contentious, with disputes over the allocation of important cities like Lahore and Amritsar. These disputes added to the overall instability in the region.

Post-Partition (After 1947)

1. Language and Identity Issues: The Indian state’s decision to make Hindi the official language, coupled with the imposition of the reorganization of states on linguistic lines in 1956, led to protests and discontent among Punjabi-speaking Sikhs in the state of Punjab. They demanded Punjabi as the official language of their state and sought greater recognition of their distinct identity.

2. Economic Disparities: Economic disparities within Punjab, particularly between the prosperous landowning Jat Sikh community and the marginalized Dalit Sikhs and other communities, contributed to social unrest and demands for land reforms and economic justice.

3. Operation Blue Star: In June 1984, the Indian government’s military operation to remove Sikh militants from the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar (Operation Blue Star) resulted in significant damage to the holy Sikh shrine and the death of many militants, along with civilian casualties. This event deeply angered Sikhs and fueled separatist sentiment.

4. Anti-Sikh Riots of 1984: After the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards in October 1984, anti-Sikh riots erupted in Delhi and other parts of India. Thousands of Sikhs were killed, and there were allegations of complicity by some politicians and law enforcement authorities. The government’s inadequate response to these riots further strained relations with the Sikh community. To this day not one politician from the Congress party has been sentenced to prison which many call a state-sponsored pogrom.

5. Khalistan Movement Handling: The Indian government’s handling of the Khalistan movement, which sought to establish an independent Sikh state in Punjab, included repressive measures and human rights abuses. This approach often alienated the Sikh population and failed to address the root causes of the movement.

Political Malpractice of Congress in Punjab

The relationship between the Indian National Congress and certain elements associated with the Khalistan movement and Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale (Khalistan Conspiracy: A Former R&AW Officer Unravels the Path to 1984 2022) in Punjab during the 1980s is a complex and controversial topic. It’s essential to note that this is a matter of debate and interpretation, and views on the extent of Congress’s involvement or manipulation of these elements vary.

Here are some key points to consider regarding the allegations of Congress’s involvement with Khalistani elements and Bhindranwale:

1. Accusations of Political Opportunism: Leaders within the Congress party with the blessings of the top leadership engaged in political opportunism by attempting to use Bhindranwale and the Khalistan movement to undermine their political opponents, particularly the Akali Dal (a Sikh political party) in Punjab. They argue that certain Congress leaders might have seen benefits in fueling unrest in the state to weaken their rivals.

2. Operation Blue Star: The decision to launch Operation Blue Star in June 1984, a military operation to remove Bhindranwale and militants from the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar, was made by the Indian government, which Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the undisputed leader of the Congress party, led. The operation had significant political and security implications and was aimed at dealing with the perceived threat posed by militants in the temple complex. It resulted in significant damage to the shrine and the death of many militants, along with civilian casualties.

3. 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots: After the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards in October 1984, anti-Sikh riots erupted in Delhi and other parts of India. Critics argue that the Congress government at the time did not take sufficient measures to prevent or control the violence, and there have been allegations of complicity by some Congress leaders and party workers. The government’s handling of the riots remains a contentious issue.

4. Use of Religion in Politics: In Indian politics, various parties have at times used religious and ethnic identities to mobilize voters and secure electoral gains. The Congress party, like other political parties, has been accused of exploiting religious sentiments for political purposes in different contexts, not just in Punjab.

5. Multiple Factors at Play: It’s important to recognize that the situation in Punjab during the 1980s was highly complex, with multiple factors contributing to the unrest and violence, including religious, political, and economic issues. The Khalistan movement had diverse factions, and not all Sikhs supported it.

The extent of the Congress party’s involvement with Khalistani elements and Bhindranwale remains a subject of hot debate and investigation. Some argue that the allegations are politically motivated, while others believe there is evidence to support the claims. It is essential to rely on credible sources and thorough investigations to assess the accuracy of such allegations. The events of the 1980s in Punjab have had a lasting impact on the region’s politics and society, and they continue to be subjects of study and discussion.

Conclusion

It must also be noted that when Khalistani terror reigned supreme in Punjab, Punjabi Hindus fled. But the dark reality is that the Khalistani terrorists then turned their violent lust on their fellow Jatt-Sikh women whom they abducted, rαped, and kept as sex slaves and many women were forced to go through abοrtions.

It is one of the most disturbing periods in Punjab as memories of partition came rushing. During the partition, many Sikh and Hindu women were abducted and raped. However, this is a story that has not seen the light of day. KPS Gill who was the Director General of Police in Punjab wrote two mini books on Khalistani terrorism that are still classics and finest works on the subject.

It’s important to note that these political mistakes were not isolated incidents but part of a complex web of historical, social, and political factors. The issues in Punjab have been deeply rooted and multifaceted, making their resolution challenging. Over time, efforts have been made to address some of these grievances, such as linguistic and identity issues, but the scars of the past continue to influence politics and society in Punjab.

_{(The author is a freelance writer and has published articles on defence and strategic affairs and book reviews. He tweets @LaxmanShriram78. The opinion expressed is the author’s own)}

References:

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• _{Sikh, Sikh, Sikh Author(s): Flibbertigibbet Source: Economic and Political Weekly, Apr. 8, 1967, Vol. 2, No. 14 (Apr. 8, 1967), pp. 669-670 Published by: Economic and Political Weekly Stable} 
• _{THE KHALISTAN MOVEMENT IN INDIA: The Interplay of Politics and State Power Author(s): Rajshree Jetly Source: International Review of Modern Sociology, Spring 2008, Vol. 34, No. 1 (Spring 2008), pp. 61-75 Published by: International Journals Stable} 
• _{Violence and the Culture of Sikh Separatism Author(s): Cynthia Keppley Mahmood Source: Political and Legal Anthropology Review, 1994, Vol. 17, No. 1 (1994), pp. 11-21 Published by: American Anthropological Association Stable} 
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• _{From Punjab to “Khalistan”: Territoriality and Metacommentary Author(s): Harjot S. Oberoi Source: Pacific Affairs, Spring, 1987, Vol. 60, No. 1 (Spring, 1987), pp. 26-41 Published by: Pacific Affairs, University of British Columbia Stable} 
• _{Complexities of the Question of Sikh Nationality Author(s): Gopal Singh Source: Economic and Political Weekly, Jul. 16, 1994, Vol. 29, No. 29 (Jul. 16, 1994), pp. 1877-1882 Published by: Economic and Political Weekly Stable}