Negative publicity gives Pannu, his pro-Khalistani colleagues a reason to be overwhelmingly happy
Was importance to the event given by the Indian government justified?
By Baljit Balli
Chandigarh, 13 August 2018 - After Cabinet meeting last month, Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh in his statement commented on Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, the head of the US-based radical group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). That day I could not help thinking as to why the government is giving unnecessary importance to Pannu and Referendum 2020. And what happened after that on August 12, I again though whether Modi government, Captain government, political parties and the Indian intelligence agencies should have accorded any importance to the London event organized by the SFJ.
It is no less funny to note that while it was being asserted that the organization organizing the Referendum 2020 had no base; it did not enjoy mass support of the Sikhs; and even the Indian Foreign Ministry condemned the SFJ as a fringe element, yet on what basis it was concluded that the event being organized by it could mobilise mass participation of the Sikhs and could be a cause of very serious concern for the Indian State due to its secessionist agenda.
Should the Indian government have repeatedly approached its UK counterpart to stop the London event from happening on its soil? It looks like that the Modi government either did not have correct inputs from the intelligence agencies and the backhand diplomatic channels about the preparations and scope of the SFJ rally or it simply ignored the inputs that may have been provided to it.
Undoubtedly, any secessionist Khalistani move will get support of Kashmiri separatists and agencies of Pakistan and other anti-India elements. Vigil and caution is ok but it is sad to note that through the Indian media especially of Punjab, our agencies created enough hype to popularise the London event, SFJ and Referendum 2020. Under no circumstances, the SFJ had enough resources to become known to common Sikhs in Punjab and people elsewhere in the country.
Had there been no planned over-reaction in India, what would have happened at best?
Amid sloganeering, a small gathering mobilized by the SFJ would have passed resolutions in favour of Khalistan and Referendum 2020. This is what has often been done. The only difference this time was presence of radical Sikhs from countries other than the UK.
Could the Indian over-reaction to the London gathering be attributed to the apprehension that millions of Sikhs from all over the globe including Punjab will assemble which the UN may have to reckon with?
I do not think so.
The Indian agencies are not expected to be naïve enough to misjudge the support base for Pannu and his organization among the Sikhs. The opposition to the London event by Punjab-based Khalistani proponents like Simranjit Singh Mann and organizations like Dal Khalsa is well known. Despite the fact that issues like Operation Bluetsar, 1984 anti-Sikh pogrom, repeated discrimination against Punjab are still justifiably alive, yet there was general disapproval of this event in Punjab. Then what was the government and political leaders afraid of?
The number of subscribers of the SFJ on YouTube channel are 19,000. Its Twitter handle has 13 thousand followers .The man behind the SFJ and Referendum 2020, Gurpatwant Pannu has 268 followers on Twitter ( Data record up to August 12, 2018 ) . Are these facts not known to our agencies?
Out of the population of over 27 million Sikhs, how many made it to London’s Trafalgar Square, the venue of the SFJ’s August 12 rally ? Even the main organizer Pannu claimed the number as 10K plus.
This is the biggest gathering of SFJ in support of Refrendum-2020 so far. The answer to this question was now known to everybody who used to visit overseas and had general knowledge about pro-Khalistani outfits . Actually, this was to happen at best. Yes, the Indian government and agencies now may claim credit for reducing this over-hyped event to insignificant one as it eventually turned out to be on its own.
However, those participated did so quite enthusiastically. The planned pro-India counter offensive organized at the same venue simultaneously looked markedly communal as no turbaned participant was visible in it. This is an ominous sign of communal divide prevailing outside the country.
One more aspect has to be discussed. Why there were no efforts to convince the overseas Sikhs and the whole other world that there is no discrimination with Sikh minority in India and the Sikhs are enjoying equal right in democratic system of the country ? Why our government and politicians did not took pains to counter the issues raised and presented as the basis of the purposed referendum move ?
Despite being an event of a miniscule section of the worldwide Sikh community, it was notable for foreign media and government. This fact carried on Pannu and his associates. The real credit for this and for bringing the Khalistan issue back into focus as a result of negative publicity given to the event and the SFJ goes to our media, government and agencies. It may serve the purpose of the various players, intending to play 'dirty games' in the name of Khalistan but keeping in view the past bitter experience of Khalistani militancy in Punjab, the people become apprehensive about the return of black days again.
Editor,
Babushahi.com
Chandigarh
tirshinazar@gmail.com
+91-99151-77722
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