·
SOUTH ASIA MONITOR
A Perspective on, from and of interest to the region 
By Jai Kumar Verma JAN 8, 2020
It appears that the administration has been
supporting the demonstrators as Jagjit Kaur was kidnapped, converted and
married on August 27, but no arrest has been made so far. Kaur’s parents have
alleged that she was forcibly abducted, converted and married against her
wishes. According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, cases of forced
conversion and forced marriages of minorities have considerably enhanced in
2019.
There was sharp reaction in India to the attack on
the shrine. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in a statement, said,
“India strongly condemns these wanton acts of destruction and desecration of
the holy place.” The statement further sought stringent action against the
culprits and asked the Pakistan government to urgently take requisite steps to
safeguard the security and welfare of the Sikh community in Pakistan.
The Sikh shrine governing committee, the Shiromani
Gurdwara Prabhandhak Committee (SGPC), announced that a four-member delegation
would be sent to Pakistan to assess the situation and meet authorities there,
including the Chief Minister and Governor of Punjab.
Instead of penalising the culprits, the Pakistan
government asserted that there was no damage to the shrine and the
demonstration was neither against Sikhs nor against the gurdwara. The
demonstration was the result of a fight between two local Muslim groups over a
minor issue. Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has been trying to
raise the Khalistan issue and trying to show that Pakistan is a true
well-wisher of the Sikh community. Hence it is downplaying the attack on the
gurudwara and twisting facts.
Meanwhile, two days after the attack on Gurudwara
Nankana Sahib, Ravinder Singh, a young Sikh, was shot dead at Peshawar. He was
the brother of Harmeet Singh, who works with a news channel. Ravinder Singh, a
resident of Shangla District, was working in Malaysia and was in Peshawar to
purchase things for his own wedding. His killing, in broad daylight, was
condemned by the Indian government and other Indian political parties and
organisations.
These two incidents, which occurred in the first
week of 2020, indicate that religious minorities in Pakistan are tormented and
are under attack. Minorities are not treated well not only in Pakistan but also
in several other Islamic countries and, in some countries, their existence is
in danger. The minority population in Pakistan is dwindling rapidly. In
Pakistan, Ahmadiyas, who comprise 0.22% of the population, have already been
declared non-Muslims, while Shias, constituting 22%, are facing attacks from
Sunni extremist outfits. Deobandi and Salafi organisations frequently attack
Shia religious places. Prominent Sunni terrorist organisations include
Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Sipah-e-Sahaba, Jundallah (affiliates of Islamic State).
These organisations believe that Shias are not true Muslims and they should be
exterminated. General Zia ul Haq, who ruled the country from 1977-88, followed
the strategy of state-sponsored Islamisation.
According to Asian Human Rights Watch, 20-25 Hindu
girls are abducted and converted to Islam every month just in Sindh province.
There are several radical Islamic organisations who oppress and forcibly
convert Hindus and Sikhs to Islam. These extremist outfits get full support
from the administration and physically eliminate or crush the secular voices.
It is essential for international human rights organisations, the United
Nations and democratic nations to pressurise Pakistan so that minorities get
equal rights.
The 'deep state' and the Imran Khan government
should care about the pitiable condition of minorities in their own country
instead of worrying about Muslim and Sikh minorities in India.
(The author is a New Delhi-based strategic analyst)
2018
A Perspective on, from and of interest to the region
Powered by SPS Society for Policy Studies
Attack on Sikh shrine exposes Pakistan’s disdain for minorities
The 'deep state' and the Imran Khan government should care about the
pitiable condition of minorities in their own country instead of worrying about
Muslim and Sikh minorities in India, writes Jai Kumar Verma for South Asia
Monitor
By Jai Kumar Verma JAN 8, 2020
·
·
·
On January 3, a mob
of more than 400 extremists attacked Nankana Sahib Gurdwara, a Sikh shrine
barely 62 kms from Lahore, in Pakistan’s Punjab province. The crowd was
reportedly led by Mohammed Imran Attari, the brother of Mohammed Hassan who had
kidnapped and forcibly converted a Sikh girl named Jagjit Kaur, daughter of the
gurudwara’s priest. The demonstrators shouted anti-Sikh and anti-Hindu slogans.
The protestors were threatening to kill all Sikhs and change the name of
Nankana Sahib to Ghulam-e-Mustafa. Many Sikh and Hindu devotees were stranded
in the gurudwara when the fundamentalist mob began throwing stones at it.
Gurdwara Nankana Sahib is a deeply revered shrine, built at the site of the
birthplace of Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh faith.
It appears that the administration has been
supporting the demonstrators as Jagjit Kaur was kidnapped, converted and
married on August 27, but no arrest has been made so far. Kaur’s parents have
alleged that she was forcibly abducted, converted and married against her
wishes. According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, cases of forced
conversion and forced marriages of minorities have considerably enhanced in
2019.
There was sharp reaction in India to the attack on
the shrine. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in a statement, said,
“India strongly condemns these wanton acts of destruction and desecration of
the holy place.” The statement further sought stringent action against the
culprits and asked the Pakistan government to urgently take requisite steps to
safeguard the security and welfare of the Sikh community in Pakistan.
The Sikh shrine governing committee, the Shiromani
Gurdwara Prabhandhak Committee (SGPC), announced that a four-member delegation
would be sent to Pakistan to assess the situation and meet authorities there,
including the Chief Minister and Governor of Punjab.
Instead of penalising the culprits, the Pakistan
government asserted that there was no damage to the shrine and the
demonstration was neither against Sikhs nor against the gurdwara. The
demonstration was the result of a fight between two local Muslim groups over a
minor issue. Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has been trying to
raise the Khalistan issue and trying to show that Pakistan is a true
well-wisher of the Sikh community. Hence it is downplaying the attack on the
gurudwara and twisting facts.
Meanwhile, two days after the attack on Gurudwara
Nankana Sahib, Ravinder Singh, a young Sikh, was shot dead at Peshawar. He was
the brother of Harmeet Singh, who works with a news channel. Ravinder Singh, a
resident of Shangla District, was working in Malaysia and was in Peshawar to
purchase things for his own wedding. His killing, in broad daylight, was
condemned by the Indian government and other Indian political parties and
organisations.
These two incidents, which occurred in the first
week of 2020, indicate that religious minorities in Pakistan are tormented and
are under attack. Minorities are not treated well not only in Pakistan but also
in several other Islamic countries and, in some countries, their existence is
in danger. The minority population in Pakistan is dwindling rapidly. In
Pakistan, Ahmadiyas, who comprise 0.22% of the population, have already been
declared non-Muslims, while Shias, constituting 22%, are facing attacks from
Sunni extremist outfits. Deobandi and Salafi organisations frequently attack
Shia religious places. Prominent Sunni terrorist organisations include
Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Sipah-e-Sahaba, Jundallah (affiliates of Islamic State).
These organisations believe that Shias are not true Muslims and they should be
exterminated. General Zia ul Haq, who ruled the country from 1977-88, followed
the strategy of state-sponsored Islamisation.
According to Asian Human Rights Watch, 20-25 Hindu
girls are abducted and converted to Islam every month just in Sindh province.
There are several radical Islamic organisations who oppress and forcibly
convert Hindus and Sikhs to Islam. These extremist outfits get full support
from the administration and physically eliminate or crush the secular voices.
It is essential for international human rights organisations, the United
Nations and democratic nations to pressurise Pakistan so that minorities get
equal rights.
The 'deep state' and the Imran Khan government
should care about the pitiable condition of minorities in their own country
instead of worrying about Muslim and Sikh minorities in India.
(The author is a New Delhi-based strategic analyst)
2018
SPOTLIGHT
3.
Pakistan planned Kartarpur as a corridor of deceit, not peace
Pakistan
planned Kartarpur as a corridor of deceit, not peace
The
presence of Khalistan protagonist Gopal Singh Chawla in the Kartarpur ceremony
also amplifies the mala fide intention of Pakistan. Khan also made it clear
that Kashmir is the only bone of contention between India and Pakistan and did
not mention anything about cross-border terrorism, writes J K Verma for South
Asia Monitor
·
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi remarked that
Prime Minister Imran Khan had bowled a “Kartarpur googly,” which obligated
India to engage Pakistan, even though New Delhi had declined negotiations with
Islamabad. Qureshi also said India was forced to send two ministers to Pakistan
to attend the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the Kartarpur corridor.
Earlier, Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj
cancelled a meeting with Qureshi on the sidelines of the United Nations General
Assembly (UNGA). Qureshi raised these issues in the presence of Khan even after
Swaraj clarified that the opening of the Kartarpur corridor was not connected
with peace negotiations with Pakistan.
Swaraj asserted that, despite a Pakistani invitation, India will
neither attend SAARC nor begin a dialogue unless Pakistan stops abetting
terrorism. She emphatically stated that “terror and talks cannot go together”.
Qureshi’s statement clearly indicates that Pakistan laid a trap
through opening of the Kartarpur corridor so that dialogue with India could be
initiated. Pakistan had invited Swaraj to attend the groundbreaking ceremony,
but she evaded the trap and declined the invitation citing prior commitments.
India was aware of Pakistan’s sinister designs and sent two Sikh ministers;
Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Hardeep Singh Puri.
The statement of Vijay Sampla, India's Minister of State and MP
from Hoshiarpur, Punjab is also significant. He said Pakistan may use the
Kartarpur corridor to infiltrate terrorists into India. Security forces have
eliminated large numbers of terrorists under “Operation all out” and Pakistan
is realising that terrorism in Kashmir is diminishing. The voters’ turnout in
recently held panchayat elections in the state is quite encouraging. In the
seventh phase of panchayat elections, 75 per cent voters cast their votes.
The central government alerted the Punjab government that the
ISI is trying to revitalize insurgency in Punjab, through Sikhs settled in
Europe, Canada and America. Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat also stated
in a seminar that external forces are making efforts to “revive insurgency” in
Punjab and security forces should be “careful”.
A pro-Khalistan organization, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), organised
a march for “London Declaration on Referendum 2020 for Sikhs” on August 12 in
London. Analysts claim that Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence or ISI
rendered full assistance to Gurpatwant Singh Pannun who organised the event.
Pakistan is being isolated in the world arena and is losing
friends rapidly. Pakistan’s all-weather friend China’s state run CGTN network
recently removed Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) from Pakistan’s map. Analysts
say the timing of removing POK from Pakistan’s map is significant as the armies
of both India and China had conducted a joint military exercise from December
10.
Soon after this, three terrorists of the Balochistan Liberation
Army (BLA) attacked the Chinese consulate in Karachi, on November 23. The
terrorist attack by BLA is noteworthy as the China Pakistan Economic Corridor
(CPEC), which forms a significant part of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), passes
through Balochistan. Several Baloch organisations claim that CPEC is not in the
state’s interest and China is eyeing Balochistan’s unexploited mineral wealth.
Hence China gave a clear message to Pakistan that it must provide full security
to Chinese citizens in the country.
A small minority in India says New Delhi should negotiate with
Islamabad and India can talk with the new Prime Minister as he is close to the
'deep state' (read military), but they forget that closeness does not mean the
'deep state' has given rights to the civilian PM to change Pakistan’s
standpoint on Kashmir. Secondly, both India and Pakistan have extremely
conflicting positions on Kashmir and it is very difficult to reach any amicable
settlement. Thirdly, the 'deep state' has successfully convinced Islamic
fundamentalists in Pakistan that either they will amalgamate Kashmir in
Pakistan or it will become independent. That is seen as suitable revenge for
dismemberment of Pakistan in 1971.
Pakistan now needs to negotiate with India as its image in the
international arena is declining and the USA is pressing hard on it to stop
assistance to diverse terrorist outfits. Nevertheless, Khan’s effort to
negotiate with India is only to show the world that Pakistan seeks peace with
India but, covertly, it will continue assisting different terrorist outfits as
it considers India as an existential threat and will continue weakening India
through a low-intensity war.
The presence of Khalistan protagonist Gopal Singh Chawla in the
Kartarpur ceremony also amplifies the mala fide intention of Pakistan. Khan
also made it clear that Kashmir is the only bone of contention between India
and Pakistan and did not mention anything about cross-border terrorism. Thus
there is no use of negotiations with Islamabad and the Indian government has
taken the right stand, that cross-border terrorism and peaceful negotiations
cannot go side by side.
(The author is a New Delhi-based strategic analyst. He can be
contacted at jai_pushpa@hotmail.com)
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi remarked that
Prime Minister Imran Khan had bowled a “Kartarpur googly,” which obligated
India to engage Pakistan, even though New Delhi had declined negotiations with
Islamabad. Qureshi also said India was forced to send two ministers to Pakistan
to attend the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the Kartarpur corridor.
Aviation & Defence Universe
Pakistan Using Kartarpur Corridor To End Diplomatic Isolation And To Revive Insurgency In Punjab
In view of above Imran Khan proposed negotiations with India. However he mentioned that the core issue between India and Pakistan is Kashmir and it should be resolved, knowing full well that there are intense differences between both the countries about Kashmir and it cannot be resolved easily.
According to intelligence reports the accomplices of Zakir Musa threw a hand grenade at Nirankari Bhawan in Adiwal village in District Amritsar on 18th November, 2018. The grenade attack, which killed three persons and injured more than 20 people, was on a religious congregation indicates that it is with ulterior motive of generating animosity and hatred in Punjab. The security agencies arrested three persons including Yusuf Rafiq Bhatt a close relation of Zakir Musa. According to police sources, arms and ammunition were recovered from their possession and the arrested persons have links with Jaish-e-Mohammed (J-e-M).
In view of above Imran Khan proposed negotiations with India. However he mentioned that the core issue between India and Pakistan is Kashmir and it should be resolved, knowing full well that there are intense differences between both the countries about Kashmir and it cannot be resolved easily.
According to intelligence reports the accomplices of Zakir Musa threw a hand grenade at Nirankari Bhawan in Adiwal village in District Amritsar on 18th November, 2018. The grenade attack, which killed three persons and injured more than 20 people, was on a religious congregation indicates that it is with ulterior motive of generating animosity and hatred in Punjab. The security agencies arrested three persons including Yusuf Rafiq Bhatt a close relation of Zakir Musa. According to police sources, arms and ammunition were recovered from their possession and the arrested persons have links with Jaish-e-Mohammed (J-e-M).
THE PIONEER
Thursday, 15 November 2018
A
bid to disturb the peace
·
Given ISI’s
determination to revive insurgency in Punjab, anti-national elements must be
dealt with stringently and those who raise pro-Khalistan slogans should be put
behind bars
On November 3, Army
Chief, General Bipin Rawat, while
delivering a lecture at a seminar organised by the Centre for Land and Warfare
Studies (CLAWS), emphatically mentioned that although at present Punjab is
peaceful, but because of foreign linkages, attempts are being made “to revive
insurgency in the state.” He also stated that “we have to be very careful” and
we hould take early action, before it is too late. He emphasised that internal
security is India’s leading problem but it cannot be resolved easily because of
foreign assistance to insurgent groups. He also mentioned that foreign powers
are trying to revitalise insurgency in Assam. He rightly asserted that only
military cannot curb insurgency and all Government agencies, civil
administration and police should work in cohesion to restore peace.
The Union
Government has also informed Punjab Government that the Inter Services
Intelligence (ISI) is trying hard to reanimate insurgency in Punjab through
Sikhs settled abroad, especially in Canada, Europe, the United States, and
Australia. On August 12, 2018, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), a pro-Khalistan
organisation, promoted the ‘London Declaration on Referendum 2020 for Sikhs’.
The so-called referendum, which was organised with the financial and logistical
support of the ISI, demanded an independent Khalistan.
Gurpatwant Singh
Pannun, a resident of the United States is an important functionary of the SFJ.
The organisers collected details, including passport copies, college documents,
photographs, mobile numbers, email and WhatsApp addresses of Sikhs from Punjab
in the name of sponsoring them, to attend the referendum. In this way they have
collected details of large number of young Sikhs who were interested in
attending the pro-Khalistan referendum. These details can be misused by the ISI
as well as by pro-Khalistan elements in future. As the ISI is ready to finance the
referendums, the SFJ declared that it will organise referendums in other
countries as well.
The SFJ is planning
to finance the visit of 100,000 Sikh pilgrims to Pakistan to celebrate 550th
birth anniversary of Guru Nanak. The ISI would utilise the visit to distribute
anti-India and pro- Khalistan literature and might try to instigate Khalistan
sentiments to a large number of Sikhs visiting Pakistan. The Gurdwaras
controlled by pro-Khalistan elements in Canada, the US and the UK have
prohibited the entry of Indian diplomats, Indian Members of Parliament, et al.
The Indian Government urged the Governments of these countries to lift the ban
but they refused to help.
Security forces
also unearthed a depraved plan of the ISI under which young persons of Pakistani
origin and citizens of Western countries were cultivated and trained in Punjabi
and Sikh traditions. Later on, they were sent to Punjab and marry Sikh girls
and convert them into pro-Khalistan entities. Hence, the ISI is using not only
young women to honey-trap but also using young men to allure Sikh women.
However, the ulterior motive lies the revival of insurgency in Punjab.
The interrogation
reports of Sikh terrorists, including Jagtar Singh Chief of Khalistan Tiger
Force, clearly indicate that the ISI is fomenting trouble in Punjab and spread
concocted reports in Pakistani media. These reports are picked up by
international media, which are sympathetic to the intelligence agency.
As the ISI was
funding lavishly, pro- Khalistan elements have created several terrorist
outfits namely Khalistan Commando Force (KCF), Bhindranwala Tigers Force of
Khalistan (BTFK), Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), Babbar Khalsa International
(BKI), International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF), Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF),
Khalistan Liberation Army, All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF),
Khalistan Armed Force aka Dashmesh Regiment, Shaheed Khalsa Force, Khalistan
Guerilla Force, Khalistan Security Force, et al.
However, these
forces lack mass support and, hence, sometimes they put few pro-Khalistan
posters or carry out terrorist activities. In 2015, three Sikh terrorists
killed a superintendent of police, three home guards and three civilians in
Dina Nagar police station (Gurdaspur), and Shiv Sena and Rashtriya Swayamsevak
Sangh (RSS) leaders were also assassinated. Analysts claim that these incidents
happen when the ISI refuses to release funds unless their agents carry out some
terrorist activities.
The ISI has given
shelter to a few Sikh leaders, including KCF chief Paramjit Singh Panjwar, BKI
chief Wadhawa Singh Babbar, ISYF chief Lakhbir Singh Rode and KZF chief Ranjit
Singh Neeta in Pakistan. These leaders propagate Khalistani ideologies to the
Sikhs residing abroad. The ISI also uses them to spread anti-India and pro-Khalistan
views to Indian Sikh jathas (group of pilgrims) whenever they visit Pakistan.
At present due to
close family relationship between Sikhs and Hindus, Sikhs understand that
Khalistan is not practicable. However, the ISI persistently sends its agents to
Punjab in order to instigate Sikhs.
The ISI has also
smuggled drugs in Punjab and at present youth have become drug-addicts. The ISI
uses them as support agents to spread hatred towards Hindus. As there is no
ideological basis for Khalistan, the ISI circulates news about perceived
atrocities and statements of anti-establishment political leaders who denounce
Indian system with ulterior motives.
Analysts also claim
that the economy of Pakistan is ruined and it is in on verge of loan default.
Prime Minister Imran Khan returned empty handed from China. The International
Monetary Fund (IMF) has put stringent conditions to grant loan and, hence, the
Pakistan Government is raising the Khalistan issue to sidetrack the attention
of poor and illiterate masses.
India must
safeguard its interests. The analysts claim that not only ISI but several
intelligence agencies support various terrorist outfits. Hence, Indian security
forces must analyse the reason why European countries, Canada and the US never
help Indian security agencies against Khalistani elements.
Pro-Khalistan Sikhs
should be blacklisted and they should not be allowed to enter India. At
present, the Khalistan movement is dormant in India but it is not dead and it
can revive with foreign assistance. A vast majority of Sikhs are aware of the
futility of the movement but a few disenchanted members of the community may be
tempted to play with fire for their selfish interests.
Sikhs settled
abroad may also render ideological and financial assistance to the perceived
discrimination and atrocities. Hence, Central as well as State Government
should try to sort out simmering issues, including punishment to the
executioners of 1984 anti-Sikh riots, Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal issue, among
others. The separatists’ allegation that Hindus want to submerge Sikh religion
must be countered.
In view of the
above, Indian policy planners must be careful and chalk out a comprehensive
plan under which the genuine problems of Punjab will be redressed. On the other
hand, anti-national elements must be dealt with stringently and those who raise
pro-Khalistan slogans should be put behind bars. The Government and the
nationalist elements should also formulate a plan to counter the misinformation
campaign launched by Khalistan supporters in India as well as abroad.
(The writer
is a member of United Services Institute of India and Institute for Defence
Studies and Analysis. Views expressed are personal)
Pro- Khalistan outfit “Sikh for
justice”: Organizing Referendum 2020 at London
Khalistan separatists have patronage
of ISI
J K Verma
The Sikh for Justice (SFJ) a
pro-Khalistan outfit is organizing “London
Declaration on Referendum 2020 for
Sikhs” on August 12. The main object of London Declaration is to raise
demands for an independent Khalistan and for the right of
self determination for the Sikhs in Punjab. The SFJ declared that the seminar
would be peaceful and in conformity of Article 19 of the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights of December 1948 which proclaims that “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and
expression”. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun a New York based legal Advisor of SFJ
claimed that August 12 Declaration will be attended by Sikh delegates from all
over the world including
UK, Europe, America and India.
The outfit declares that it will give
sponsorship letters as well as free stay from August 10 to 14 in London to the young
Sikhs and political activists coming from Punjab to attend the Referendum 2020.
SFJ has asked the applicants to send their passport copy, college identity card
and other relevant details through email or WhatsApp. The email address and a
WhatsApp number of United States were also given to the prospective applicants.
In fact it is a bait by which secessionist outfits will get name, addresses and
personal details of large number of Sikh Youths of Punjab who want to go to
United Kingdom or have some inclination towards Khalistan. The pro-Khalistan,
anti-India outfits and Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) of Pakistan will exploit
these personal details at a later stage to cultivate and utilise these young
men against India.
SFJ is an obscure, self-professed human rights organisation based in New
York and sometimes back it put posters in Punjab about an independent Sikh
State. However Punjab government initiated legal action and the Facebook
account and website of the outfit were blocked. However several people feel
that by blocking the website, Facebook account and initiating legal actions
against a little known separatist outfit, Indian security agencies gave uncalled
for publicity to SFJ.
Pannun also mentioned that SFJ will hold referendums in other democratic
countries including Scotland, Spain etc.
Several Canadian Gurdwaras
banned the entry of personnel of Indian diplomatic missions, Indian elected
officials, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Shiv Sena members. Gurudwaras
of United Kingdom and United States also copied it. However the government of
these countries refused to take any action under the garb of ‘freedom of
expression’.
Indian intelligence officials reveal that
the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) is behind
this referendum and assisting SFJ financially as well as logistically. ISI is assisting SFJ to use social
media vigorously to allure Sikh youths in Punjab. SFJ is also offering
financial assistance to young Sikhs of Punjab to attend the referendum.
The Ministry of external Affairs has
issued a demarche to UK High Commission in Delhi to protest about the referendum
organised by SFJ in London. Nonetheless British High Commission spokesperson made
it clear that in UK people can gather and demonstrate their views within the
framework of law and government has no intention to ban the referendum.
There are also reports that ISI is infiltrating trained agents in Indian Punjab who are well versed with Sikh traditions and customs and speak Punjabi fluently in local dialect. These young handsome Pakistanis pose themselves as Sikhs and allure Sikh women in Punjab and after marriage alter them pro-Khalistan. ISI uses NRI also to honey-trap young women. In past ISI was using young women for honey-trap, now they have changed the strategy and are using young men to trap Sikh women. However the object is the same to revive Khalistan issue and initiate violence and terrorism in Punjab.
Sometimes back an Austrian Passport
holder of Pakistani origin namely Ahsan Ul Haq was caught in Jalandhar who
entered India from Nepal to marry an Indian Sikh girl of Punjab. Besides Ahsan
few more Pakistanis were also caught in Punjab with the intention of marrying
Sikh girls. The ISI infiltrates these agents with dual purpose firstly they
work as spies for ISI and also inflame Khalistan issue as they are married to
Sikh girls their ulterior motive remain undetected.
Jagtar Singh Chief of Khalistan Tiger
Force who was deported from Thailand also revealed the nexus between ISI and
Khalistan terrorists. ISI tries to foment trouble on the name of Khalistan
movement and if little terrorist activity occurs, Pakistani media and cronies
of ISI give them wide coverage in Pakistan as well as abroad. There are reports
that senior ISI operatives met pro-Khalistan activist abroad and also
instructed to Khalistani Sikhs residing in Pakistan to revitalise Khalistan
separatist movement.
Several Khalistan terrorist outfits
mushroomed as funds were coming from abroad but as they lacked mass support;
these outfits died their own death in India. The foremost Khalistan terrorist
outfits included Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), International Sikh Youth
Federation (ISYF), Khalistan Commando Force (KCF), All India Sikh Students
Federation (AISSF), Bhindranwala Tigers Force of Khalistan (BTFK), Khalistan
Zindabad Force (KZF), Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), Khalistan Liberation
Army, Dashmesh Regiment, Shaheed Khalsa Force etc.
The proposed Khalistan includes areas
of Indian and Pakistani Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir
and Rajasthan. However the idea is not feasible as Sikh population is in
minority in the areas claimed under Khalistan. Secondly Sikh and Hindu population
have close family/marital relations and they cannot be separated. The majority
Sikhs are aware that the idea of Khalistan is not viable and they do not
support separate Khalistan. However Pakistan military which is determined to
harm India also raises Khalistan issue when Sikh Jathas visit Pakistan from all
over the world to celebrate Baisakhi as well as to commemorate birth
anniversary of Guru Nanak. The Deep State of Pakistan support Khalistan
movement till they are carrying out terrorist activities in India however they
are equally averse to the idea of Khalistan as it includes whole of Pakistani
Punjab.
There is no ideological basis of
Khalistan movement; it is only against presumed atrocities and alleged discrimination
against Sikhs in India. The government and Sikh community adopted several
confidence building measures through which misguided Sikh youths again joined
the mainstream.
At present there is little support for
Khalistan issue in India although few Sikhs abroad especially in Canada, Europe
and America organise some functions abroad to denounce India and raise
Khalistan issue. Indian intelligence agencies believe that ISI is behind stimulating
Khalistan issue in India and abroad to divert the attention of Pakistani masses
from rampant poverty, corruption and diverse secessionist movements. Nonetheless
security forces in India must keep a watch on anti-India elements as they would
certainly try to rejuvenate Khalistan issue. Khalistan supporters were also
able to demonstrate few incidents. In July 2015 three armed Sikh terrorists
attacked at Dina Nagar, Gurdaspur and killed few innocent persons. Pro-
Kahalistan activists celebrated anniversary of Operation Blue Star. Hindu leaders
particularly of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Shiv Sena were killed to
create hatred between Hindus and Sikhs, pro-Khalistan slogans were also raised and
name of KPS Gill could not be included in Punjab Vidhan Sabha obituary
references. According to
latest intelligence reports ISI has penetrated two Khalistani Sikhs through
Nepal to carryout terrorist activities during forthcoming Independence Day
celebrations. These are just few
references which indicate that Khalistan supporters are not exterminated
completely. Khalistan sympathisers also contacted diverse terrorist outfits
active in India especially in Kashmir under instructions from ISI.
Khalistan movement appears to be down
at this juncture but it is not finished totally and ISI will make all-out
efforts to renew it. There are political leaders and few selfish individuals
who utter pro-Khalistan statements to gain some media hype.
Radical Sikhs settled abroad are more
vociferous to raise Khalistan issue than Sikhs in India. Khalistani Sikhs
constituted American Sikh Congressional Caucus and Ami Bera Congressman of
Indian origin joined the Caucus. India lodged protest about the formation of
the caucus by pro-Khalistani Sikhs. The pro-Khalistan Sikhs observe
anniversaries of anti Sikh riots of 1984, Operation Blue Star etc. and at that
time raise anti-India pro-Khalistan slogans and then circulate the videos of
these occasions through social media.
The central and state governments
should chalk out a long term plan so that the vicious and unsubstantiated propaganda initiated by Khalistan supporters
on behest of ISI is curbed at initial stages and do not became a threat to
national security.
(Jai Kumar Verma is a Delhi-based strategic
analyst and is also member of United Services Institute of India and Institute
for Defence Studies and Analyses. The views in the article are solely the
author’s. )
Opening of Kartarpur corridor is to please sikhs on one hand and press India to negotiate.
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