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Militancy in Punjab long gone, but Sikh grievances remain:Book
New Delhi, Dec 10 (PTI) Nearly a decade and a half has gone by since the end of militancy in Punjab but most of the key political grievances that the Sikhs perceive as genuine have not been addressed, says a new book.
"Let us not forget, that though militancy and extremist violence have been eliminated, deep seated political grievances remain unresolved," affirms Kirpal Dhillon, who took over as director general of Punjab police within weeks of Operation Blue Star, in his book "Identity and Survival: Sikh Militancy in India 1978-93".
"For the Sikh concerns that triggered the 1980s militancy in the first place, nothing has changed. The basic grievances of the community remain unredressed with the much acclaimed Rajiv-Longowal accord of 1985 long since dead and buried. A series of new developments have materially altered the sectarian landscape with all major political parties pulling out all the stops to lure the Hindu voter," says Dhillon.
Participants in counter insurgency in Punjab, like K P S Gill and Lt Gen K S Brar have produced a number of memoirs, but it is probably for the first time that a police official has criticised the army action on June 3,1984.
"It resulted in a major intensification of militancy and terrorism in the region," he writes about the Blue Star. He also writes of the "traditionally oppressive Punjab police" and its ruler-supportive role. This is marked by "a habit of excessive servility and submissiveness to political and civilian officialdom and disregard for the community and the public institutions in general."
(About the Book: Identity and Survival : Sikh Militancy in India 1978-1993) by Kirpal Dhillon; Published by Penguin, Price Rs 395; PP394) PTI
New Delhi, Dec 10 (PTI) Nearly a decade and a half has gone by since the end of militancy in Punjab but most of the key political grievances that the Sikhs perceive as genuine have not been addressed, says a new book.
"Let us not forget, that though militancy and extremist violence have been eliminated, deep seated political grievances remain unresolved," affirms Kirpal Dhillon, who took over as director general of Punjab police within weeks of Operation Blue Star, in his book "Identity and Survival: Sikh Militancy in India 1978-93".
"For the Sikh concerns that triggered the 1980s militancy in the first place, nothing has changed. The basic grievances of the community remain unredressed with the much acclaimed Rajiv-Longowal accord of 1985 long since dead and buried. A series of new developments have materially altered the sectarian landscape with all major political parties pulling out all the stops to lure the Hindu voter," says Dhillon.
Participants in counter insurgency in Punjab, like K P S Gill and Lt Gen K S Brar have produced a number of memoirs, but it is probably for the first time that a police official has criticised the army action on June 3,1984.
"It resulted in a major intensification of militancy and terrorism in the region," he writes about the Blue Star. He also writes of the "traditionally oppressive Punjab police" and its ruler-supportive role. This is marked by "a habit of excessive servility and submissiveness to political and civilian officialdom and disregard for the community and the public institutions in general."
(About the Book: Identity and Survival : Sikh Militancy in India 1978-1993) by Kirpal Dhillon; Published by Penguin, Price Rs 395; PP394) PTI
