13 May 2008 Hindustantimes Chandigarh Pg 12
Review curbs but be on your guard
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The dark days of militancy are long over in Punjab, but the Union government is yet to review the blacklist of the Sikhs abroad who joined the separatist movement following Operation Bluestar. Security concerns apart, the issue of a separate homeland is still an emotive one among an influential section of the Sikh diaspora. Under these circumstances, will it be advisable to abolish the blacklist and let bygones be bygones? While readers feel these misguided people should get a chance to join the national mainstream on humanitarian grounds provided they have made amends, they advocate caution at the same time. Intelligence agencies should minutely scrutinise the antecedents of the blacklisted Sikhs and keep them under the scanner for a stipulated period. Punjab cannot afford another brush with militancy.
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Intolerable delay
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THE SIKHS have always been in the forefront when it comes to safeguarding the honour of the country. They have played a leading role in the freedom struggle through the Ghaddar and Kuka movements. Despite their contributions, successive governments at the Centre have been treating them shabbily. Thousands of them have been killed in fake encounters and brutally tortured. It is deplorable that the Centre is sticking to the blacklist even several years after militancy came to an end.
GURPREET KAUR Ludhiana
GURPREET KAUR Ludhiana
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Arent they our own
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LET'S THINK positive, for the dark days of militancy in Punjab are over since long. Besides Pakistan, much of the militancy was fuelled and funded from Canada and UK.
If we keep our house in order and continue to build an atmosphere of amity and goodwill between Hindus and Sikhs, who have much in common, we can restore the lost glory of Punjab.
The state government should demand the scrapping of the blacklist more forcefully because the possibility of revival of the Khalistan movement in Punjab is remote. All those who had gone astray are our own countrymen and should be welcomed back. Haven't we been following the same approach in J&K with good results?
If we keep our house in order and continue to build an atmosphere of amity and goodwill between Hindus and Sikhs, who have much in common, we can restore the lost glory of Punjab.
The state government should demand the scrapping of the blacklist more forcefully because the possibility of revival of the Khalistan movement in Punjab is remote. All those who had gone astray are our own countrymen and should be welcomed back. Haven't we been following the same approach in J&K with good results?
SUDERSHAN WALIA Amritsar
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Treat Punjab like Kashmir
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SIKHISM CAME into being to fight against the grave injustice perpetrated by foreign rulers and for the welfare of the downtrodden. The role of the Sikhs in the freedom movement is unmatched. At the time of Partition, turning down Jinnah's lucrative offers, the Sikhs decided to side with India, thus saving a vast territory from going into Pakistan's hands. Instead of rewarding them for this, the government spared no efforts in treating them shabbily. Clandestine efforts were made to wipe out their culture, history, language and prosperity by a powerful communal lobby. The media also played a biased role by influencing people against the community. The Sikhs were forced to agitate over their rightful demands and when all Constitutional means to redress their grouses failed, it culminated in bloody terrorism in Punjab, leading to the death of thousands of innocent people.
It is preposterous to think that Sikhs don't want a separate state. Rather, the demand has now assumed an international dimension. More important than scrapping the so-called blacklist is to make sincere and bold efforts to assuage the hurt feelings of the Sikhs by bringing safeguards in the Constitution for Punjab on the same pattern as Kashmir and punishing the people who indulged in gross human rights violations during militancy.
J.S. SODHI S.A.S. Nagar
It is preposterous to think that Sikhs don't want a separate state. Rather, the demand has now assumed an international dimension. More important than scrapping the so-called blacklist is to make sincere and bold efforts to assuage the hurt feelings of the Sikhs by bringing safeguards in the Constitution for Punjab on the same pattern as Kashmir and punishing the people who indulged in gross human rights violations during militancy.
J.S. SODHI S.A.S. Nagar
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Annul List End Distrust
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AFTER OPERATION Bluestar and the antiSikh riots, many disgruntled elements (extremists) responsible for heinous crimes and treason were ruthlessly eliminated by the Army and the police in encounters, fake or otherwise. TADA laws were also draconian. Others managed to seek asylum in foreign countries by posing as harassed groups in their own country.
There is a perpetual threat to India's unity and integrity. Moreover, external powers are still aiding and abetting acts of terrorism in India in order to create instability in sensitive regions. Thus, the security at airports, railway stations, defence installations, government buildings and national monuments is in constant peril. It is in this context that the Centre continues to blacklist Sikhs facing charges relating to their terrorist activities in the past.
The assertions made by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee in this regard merit consideration. It is never too late to make amends. Time has a great redemptive power. The Centre should annul the blacklist and bring an end to this period of distrust and prejudice. It is an opportune time to show magnanimity and allow "the other Sikhs" to visit India and become part of the national mainstream. Simultaneously, the government should single out the real culprits and get them extradited with the help of Interpol. India must enter into extradition treaties with countries which are still harbouring wrong-doers.
JARNAIL SINGH BRAR Bathinda
There is a perpetual threat to India's unity and integrity. Moreover, external powers are still aiding and abetting acts of terrorism in India in order to create instability in sensitive regions. Thus, the security at airports, railway stations, defence installations, government buildings and national monuments is in constant peril. It is in this context that the Centre continues to blacklist Sikhs facing charges relating to their terrorist activities in the past.
The assertions made by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee in this regard merit consideration. It is never too late to make amends. Time has a great redemptive power. The Centre should annul the blacklist and bring an end to this period of distrust and prejudice. It is an opportune time to show magnanimity and allow "the other Sikhs" to visit India and become part of the national mainstream. Simultaneously, the government should single out the real culprits and get them extradited with the help of Interpol. India must enter into extradition treaties with countries which are still harbouring wrong-doers.
JARNAIL SINGH BRAR Bathinda
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