How did the Khalistan movement start in East Punjab and how did it end. Why did the Sikhs want a separate homeland although they opted to be with India in 1947.
The Sikh Society at my university was led by Khalistanis - their president said that they were betrayed by India, because they believe that India had promised the Sikhs extensive autonomy over East Punjab to make the Sikhs elect for India - but then did not give the Sikhs what had been promised.
Khalistan movement started in Mid 1970s primarily to protest against unfulfilment of demands by the Central Government - God knows what the demands were - but then was used by the Indira Gandhi as a tool to suppress the growth of Akali Dal in the region.
The movement turned out to be a frankenstein for Indira Gandhi as it started growing from strength to strength based on public support - it lead to her assasination in 1984 when after her Sikh bodyguards killed her for Operation Bluestar she ordered to flush out militants from the Sikh's holiest shrine Golden Temple..what followed was anti Sikh riots which further strengthened the movement
1985-1990s was the most torturous period in Punjab's history when the militancy was its peak - but later it fizzled out...
it ended because
1) the terrorists started losing public support over the killings - actually economy took a nose dive during those turbulent days
2) Fake Encounters - Punjab Police under KPS Gill started employing the tactics of fake encounters which really broke the back of the militancy.
Pakistan is trying to revive this problem.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_953197,0008.htm
Pak exerting pressure to revive Punjab militancy: Home Ministry
Press Trust of India
New Delhi, August 17
Pakistan continues to provide sanctuary to various Sikh militant groups and ISI was also putting pressure on these outfits to revive terrorist activities in Punjab, says the annual report of Union Home Ministry.
“There are reports that Pak-ISI continues to put pressure on Pakistan-based pro-Khalistan militants to revive terrorist activities in Punjab,” the report for the year 2003-04 said.
It said that Pakistan continues to provide sanctuary to leaders of important Pro-Khalistan militant outfits like Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) headed by Wadhawa Singh, Khalistan Commando Force led by PS Panjwar and International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) led by Lakhbir Singh Rode.
Militant groups like Khalistan Zindabad Force led by Ranjit Singh alias “Neeta” and Dal Khalsa International led by Gajinder Singh also continued to receive sanctuary from Pakistani soil, the report said.
The Government is also pursuing its efforts to get these Pakistan-based militants deported to India, the report said.
It said that BKI and ISYF had been banned even by the United Kingdom Anti-terrorism Act 2000 and have also been included in the list of terrorist organisations by the European Union also.
Pakistan’s ISI rushing to take advantage in Manipur and North-east India, stirs up Punjab’s Khalistan
Sudhir Chadda, Special Correspondent
August 18, 2004
http://www.indiadaily.com/editorial/08-17a-04.asp
Government of India’s slow action in dealing with Manipur agitation and human rights violation made ISI run towards Manipur to take advantage of the situation. ISI is using its corridor in Bangladesh and Myanmar to provide arms, supplies, money and other support. It is not clear if Bangladesh, China and Myanmar is also involved. Pakistan’s position in Kashmir is delicate and dangerous. To keep India at bay, they are trying to open new fronts. Sources also say in recent days ISI may have established links with Naxals in South and central India to cause further trouble. While they are delinking themselves with Al-Queda, they are establishing links with other insurgents in India. Pakistan considers covert war in India is a way to military balance. The Central Government today complained about Pakistan ISI’s direct hands in stirring up Pujab’s Khalistan movement.
Pakistan continues to provide sanctuary to various Sikh militant groups and ISI was also putting pressure on these outfits to revive terrorist activities in Punjab, says the annual report of Union Home Ministry. “There are reports that Pak-ISI continues to put pressure on Pakistan-based pro-Khalistan militants to revive terrorist activities in Punjab,” the report for the year 2003-04 said. It said that Pakistan continues to provide sanctuary to leaders of important Pro-Khalistan militant outfits like Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) headed by Wadhawa Singh, Khalistan Commando Force led by PS Panjwar and International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) led by Lakhbir Singh Rode. Militant groups like Khalistan Zindabad Force led by Ranjit Singh alias “Neeta” and Dal Khalsa International led by Gajinder Singh also continued to receive sanctuary from Pakistani soil, the report said. The Government is also pursuing its efforts to get these Pakistan-based militants deported to India, the report said. It said that BKI and ISYF had been banned even by the United Kingdom Anti-terrorism Act 2000 and have also been included in the list of terrorist organisations by the European Union also.
Well some elements in the Pakistani society do dream of the Indian North-east seceding, or maybe India itself disintegrating but I guess the law of Karma will eventually catch up with them and we may see Baluchistan as a country before Khalistan.
What works is, as always, the carrot and stick policy.
The stick was zero tolerance for terrorism. Yes, the police (headed by a Sikh, and containing predominantly Sikhs, and not the army) has been widely reported to have used practices that are not condoned during peace time. The army did go into the Golden Temple (this year is the 20th anniversary of Operation Bluestar) and the operation was led by a Sikh officer. The army took a lot more hit that they could have avoided, but they didn't want too much damage to the structure and to the innocent pilgrims in the Temple.
Bitter may be right about the economy factor. All violent movements, however justifiable, cause more harm than good to the people if they don't succeed in a short period of time. Businesses are the first to move out, not only because they suffer on account of lower demands, but they are also the prime targets of those involved in violence. No new business gets started, and then it becomes a viscious cycle - violence increases because there is no productive activity. Violence becomes a self-defeating prophesy
In Punjab, what also helped was democracy. Narasimha Rao made a great & risky decision to go ahead with state elections. That turned the tide. For all its faults, democracy at least allows people to let off steam. That's the carrot.
Re: Khalistan
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Islamabad: *
How did the Khalistan movement start in East Punjab and how did it end. ..
[/QUOTE]
Sikhs were slowly sidelined in Bha-Rat politics and they got angry (very very angry!). The anger and frustration was the result of many injustices perpetrated by Hindian gov. For example, division of Eastern Punjab to three states! Remaining Eastern Punjab didn't even get a state capital.
Your second question as to why did the movement end. Well! The movement died because it lacked the essential aspects of a successful insurgency.
- No safe basis outside the war zone
- No support from a super power
Safe basis are essential for training, medical help etc. The super power is needed to provide money, logistics, training, and international support.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Islamabad: *
...Why did the Sikhs want a separate homeland although they opted to be with India in 1947.
[/QUOTE]
Correction! Punjabi Sikhs and Hindus never opted for India. They were simply thrown out of West Punjab by the Mullah-Aya-Tullahs, and the leftie, commie Punjabis. Pre-1947 massacres of Hindu Sikhs and stupid issues like Shahid Ganj mosque were simply a prelude to the final solution by the Punjabi Muslims.
I know fanatics on this board will bombard me with the accounts of 1947 killings in East Punjab. Sure that did happen due to Patel and Akali Sikhs. Unfortunately the foundation of Punjab's division was put in place long before 1947.
Long live brave people of Pakistan, Pak-Army Zindabaad
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by bitter: *
based on public support -
[/QUOTE]
Question is: Did it had any public support???If yes...where is it now???...my guess, it was only exaggerated by some ...who were bailed out of India in mid-late 80's...& now living outside India(mainly in UK & Canada)as NRI's...with very few grass roots....
So you are trying to say that it is Pakistan who wants Khalistan & not the Sikhs??What would Pakistan be possibly getting from Khalistan…another country to handle on its border…what else???
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by imran dhanji: *
Pakistan is trying to revive this problem.
.....
[/QUOTE]
Pakistan may have interest in Eastern Punjab. However it cannot start or maintain an insurgency in Eastern Punjab. For a successful insurgency you have to meet 2 important criteria:
- Safe basis outside the war zone
- Support from a super power
Safe basis are essential for training, medical help etc. The super power is needed to provide money, logistics, training, and international support. Kashmir meets only #1, so the insurgency can be maintained but it will never be successful unless #2 gets taken into consideration.
Considering these facts, I'd treat this news item as mere propaganda.
Long live brave people of Pakistan, Pak-Army Zindabaad
Im not against Pakistan supporting such movements in India.. The Indians were'nt exactly so abashed about their support for the Bengalis during the 1971 war. Its all fair in love and war. Indians should expect to get the same treatment.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by PaKpatriot1: *
Im not against Pakistan supporting such movements in India.. The Indians were'nt exactly so abashed about their support for the Bengalis during the 1971 war. Its all fair in love and war. Indians should expect to get the same treatment.
[/QUOTE]
Then Pakistanis should not complain if India gives moral support to Sindhis, Baluchistan movement?
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by imran dhanji: *
Then Pakistanis should not complain if India gives moral support to Sindhis, Baluchistan movement?
[/QUOTE]
First of all, India set the precedent, in fact India has set others. They are responsible. We will accpet that that is the way things work. Infact it is our responsibility to make sure the Sindhis and Balochis dont have a reason to want to leave the federation. I have said before and will say again that ultimately, the provinces have the right to decide whether they want to leave the federation or not. But it has to be through referandum and all other options must be exhausted first.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by imran dhanji: *
Then Pakistanis should not complain if India gives moral support to Sindhis, Baluchistan movement?
[/QUOTE]
Which movement??
We don't see any movement of that kind in Pakistan??
Do you see any movement of 'Such Sorts' based in India??