Majority of the Hindu population in Punjab side with the Sikh population when it comes to voting even in the diaspora Hindu punjabis align with Sikhs, this is an important move as it has not always been the case. Hindus are waking up to what is best for their future.
The dwindling Sikh population has not made much difference where poverty is concerned, Punjab and Kerala are the only 2 states which have fought hunger to above acceptable standards. The decrease in Sikh population is more to do with the continuing exodus of Sikhs going abroad I don't think anyone has done a credible study on this topic the immigration is astounding.
Apart from this the majority of problems Punjab faces today can only be understood through the lens of intelligence agencies activities, punjab can therefore not be held responsible for its progress this is why a strong federal policy is needed. In the face of this Sikhs have every right to take steps towards self determination this is a right defined in the preamble to the United Nations. No one can stop this agitation because it is a fundamental human right.
It was mentioned before that there is not much choice when it comes to political parties they are both doused in maleficium. To deny this would be extraordinary and delusional, a publicity campaign does not stop Modi being the criminal that he is it's almost as if evading justice makes one popular, any person of sound mind knows this to be false. So unfortunately we are in a situation where we will look back to the current climate with disbelief and then people will come up with fancy arguments to justify what they once felt to be oh so acceptable. This is the comedy of the indian tryst with its destiny. Of course India is not alone with its incongruence this trend is global.
On a more positive note, promotion of the Sikh identity has started to gather pace in the diaspora, it was at one time limited to the Anglo Canadian communities but recently more countries have started to raise awareness of Sikhism especially within universities and college campuses, chairs and endowments have increased, media has started to engage with local Sikh population rather than relying on voices from community leaders or the "prominent sikhs". This is important as gauging majority opinion has always been stifled by foreign governments with vested interests, this in turn will start to open up the debate surrounding the aspirations of the Sikh people. I think for too long we have focused on the existential concerns of Sikhs as opposed to the existential concerns of Sikhism, and Sikhism will show to have something unique to add to the world platform, something which sadly could not be founded within the indian project.