What is the Khalistan movement?
The Khalistan movement aims to establish an independent and sovereign Sikh state in Punjab, encompassing India and Pakistan.
Why is the issue in the news?
Well, it is because of Amritpal Singh, a supporter of Sikh militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and advocate of the Khalistan separatist movement in Punjab, who has successfully evaded capture after several months of preaching.
Issues and the Historical Background
- Historical Background: The Khalistan movement originated during India's Partition in 1947, which divided the country into India and Pakistan. The Punjab region was partitioned, with the eastern half joining India and the western half joining Pakistan. The Partition caused widespread violence and forced millions of people, including Sikhs, to flee their homes in what is now Pakistan.
- The Emergence of the Khalistan Movement: As Sikhs began to feel increasingly marginalised in India in the 1970s, the Khalistan movement received attention. Many Sikhs felt their religious and cultural identities were being eroded, and they were not receiving an equitable share of political power or economic resources. The demand for a separate Sikh state, Khalistan, gained traction among the community.
- Anandpur Sahib Resolution: The Akali Dal issued the Anandpur Sahib Resolution in 1973 to direct Punjab's Sikh majority's political trajectory. The resolution called for Punjab to have more freedom, designated areas for a separate state, and the ability to write its constitution. The Indian government was worried that it would inflame separatist feelings despite assurances that secession was not desired. It continued to be a sensitive subject and increased hostilities between the government and the Sikh community, eventually contributing to the unrest of the 1980s.
- Bhindranwale: A dynamic preacher named Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale rose to prominence by portraying himself as "the real voice of the Sikhs" in opposition to the Akali Dal leadership. There are rumours that Sanjay Gandhi encouraged Bhindranwale to oppose the Akalis to benefit Congress politically. But, in the 1980s, Bhindranwale's expanding popularity started to provide problems for the government and heightened hostility between his supporters and the establishment. Ultimately, Bhindranwale's actions turned into a significant issue for the administration and helped spark the violence in Punjab.
- Dharam Yudh Morcha: Bhindranwale led the Dharam Yudh Morcha, a civil disobedience movement supported by the Akali Dal leadership, in 1982. He lived in the Golden Temple and led protests and clashes with police to demand greater autonomy for Punjab. However, due to increasing religious polarisation, sectarian violence, and Bhindranwale's divisive politics against Hindus, the Indian government labelled the movement separatist, despite its origins in addressing the concerns of the state's rural Sikh population.
- Operation Blue Star: When Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi ordered a military operation against militants who had taken over the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the holiest Sikh shrine, tensions reached a boiling point in 1984. The operation, which killed hundreds of people, many of whom were civilians, was widely condemned by Sikhs around the world. This event boosted support for the Khalistan movement.
- Crackdown on the Khalistan Movement: The deadliest sectarian unrest since Partition began in October 1984 with the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her two Sikh bodyguards, which resulted in the slaughter of nearly 8,000 Sikhs. In retribution for the murder of Bhindranwale, Sikh nationalists residing in Canada destroyed an Air India flight, killing 329 people. Punjab experienced the worst violence during the insurgency, which lasted until 1995 when most of the populace turned against the terrorists.
- External Factors: External forces have also fueled the Khalistan issue, including Pakistan, which has been accused of supporting Sikh separatists to destabilise India. The Sikh diaspora, particularly in Canada and the United Kingdom, has also contributed to the survival of the Khalistan movement by providing financial and moral support to separatist groups.
- Possible Solution: The Khalistan issue is complex and sensitive, and finding a lasting resolution requires the Indian government to address the grievances of the Sikh community and protect the rights of all citizens. Dialogue and negotiation with Sikh leaders are crucial, and external actors should avoid interfering in India's internal affairs.
Conclusion:
The Khalistan issue poses a significant challenge to India's unity and stability. Addressing Sikh grievances is important, but so is upholding democratic governance and the rule of law. All stakeholders must make a concerted effort to find common ground for a peaceful and sustainable resolution.