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Dal Khalsa hijacking headline that globalized Khalistan narrative 42 ago as narrative bounces back

 



Dal Khalsa hijacking headline that globalized Khalistan narrative 42 ago as narrative bounces back

Ground Zero

Jagtar Singh

 

“Khalistan men hijack Boeing to Lahore” screamed the headlines on the morning of September 30, 1981.

The hitherto little-known Khalistan demand stood globalized at one level.

The action was carried out by young Sikh activists of 1978-born Dal Khalsa advocating creation of independent Sikh state of Khalistan in Indian part of Sikh dominated border state of Punjab.

The media had earlier virtually ignored the setting up of National Council of Khalistan headed by Dr. Jagjit Singh Chohan announced on  June 16, 1980 from Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) complex. This proclamation was signed by its general secretary Balbir Singh Sandhu who used to stay in the complex. These were the only two main activists of the National Council of Khalistan then.

This proclamation stated, “After going into the political character of the Hindu majority government of India and scrutinizing the policies and tactics of anti-Sikh Hindu leadership functioning under the cover of national unity and democracy, it is categorically stated that the Sikhs from today are free from the Indian constitution in their homeland. In case the Indian government, directly or indirectly, tried repressive measures, the Khalistan government would not be responsible for the consequences and would appeal to the peace loving forces in the world for support  in self-defense.” (Translated from original press note in Punjabi).

Among other demands, the hijacking was staged to press for release of Damdami Taksal (Sikh seminari) chief Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale arrested earlier on September 20, 1981 in the case of assassination of Jalandhar based  newspaper owner-editor  Lala Jagat Narain.

That was the period when politics of violence had already surfaced in political narrative of Punjab with the gunning down of Nirankari chief Gurbachan Singh in Delhi to avenge killing of 13 Sikhs in Sikh-Nirankari clash at Amritsar on the Baisakhi of April 13, 1978 when Punjab was ruled by Akali Dal government headed by Parkash Singh Badal. A total of 18 persons were killed in that clash, including three Nirankaris.

Forty two years later, the Khalistan narrative has bounced back in the global conversation with Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau  making bombshell revelation by linking to Indian agencies the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June last in front of Guru Nanak Gurdwara that he headed in Surrey in British Columbia.

Significantly, there has not been much  discernible activity relating to Khalistan in Indian Punjab. The two democratic separatist organisations in Punjab pressing this issue are Dal Khalsa and Akali Dal (Amritsar) headed by Member of Parliament Simranjit Singh Mann. The second Punjab is part of Pakistan and Sikh Diaspora is borderless third Punjab.

The Dal Khalsa today organised function at Akal Takht, the seat symbolising Sikh sovereignty in the Golden Temple complex, to commemorate not only the above mentioned hijacking but also to  focus on issues like killing of Nijjar and release of Sikh political prisoners, besides those staying in Pakistan.

It may be mentioned that Gajinder Singh, one of the five hijackers on September 29, 1981 action, is still staying in Pakistan after his release from jail. Two of them had returned to India and are living normal life. It may be mentioned that Chandigarh is home to several former hijackers.

Dal Khalsa senior leader Kanwarpal Singh urged Pakistan to grant political asylum to Gajinder and facilitate his stay permanently at Nankana Sahib.

Dal Khalsa is now non-violent separatist organisation as against its earlier practice of being militant separatist. The outfit also called upon Canada to take the case of assassination of Nijjar to logical conclusion.

Significantly, Kanwarpal urged Pakistan to come out with the forces behind the killing of Sikh activist Paramjit Singh Panjwar earlier in Lahore before Nijjar’s killing. Nijjar’s killing is part of a series of such killings of Sikh separatists.

It is pertinent to mention here is that the Khalistan narrative started surfacing mainly after India took notice of activities of Sikh for Justice leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun just a couple of years back. His organisation has been carrying out non-binding referendum on Khalistan in the West. Nijjar was among SFJ activists.

India’s external affairs minister S Jaishankar has denied the allegations levelled by Justin Trudeau.

However, as per the media reports in the West, the first information to Canada in this regard was provided by USA. Both USA and Canada are part of Five Eyes intelligence formation with UK, Australia and New Zealand being the other members.

Moreover, the report carried by Financial Times that US President Joe Biden and Trudeau had taken up this issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during G20 conclave has not been denied by those countries.

However, the basic issue is the revival of Khalistan narrative with a bang and that too at the time when Punjab is battling issues of existence.

 

 

 

 

 


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