Why Punjab Feels Cornered: A Reality Check on Justice and Equality

By Gursewak Singh Toor

There are many causes of unrest in Punjab. It starts with Punjab's rights regarding Chandigarh and Punjab's waters. According to international law, Punjab's free-flowing waters belong to Punjab, but still, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi are receiving this natural resource free of cost. Even during British times, the princely states used to pay Punjab for water.

The killings of innocent people by the state in 1947, 1966, 1984–1995, and the ongoing drug genocide from 2000 till today remain unresolved. Sikh prisoners are still in jail after 30+ years, and many have not been released even after serving their sentences. Many youngsters have also been jailed on dubious charges or for simply saying "Khalistan" or for other minimal allegations. They are not being released. Meanwhile, culprits of the Gujarat riots in 2002, including rapists, are getting bail on the grounds of good character and moral behavior. Powerful individuals like Ram Rahim, involved in proven cases of rape and murder, are being released and granted bail just a few months after arrest.

Also, people are being sent to jail for saying "Khalistan," even though the Supreme Court has ruled that Sikhs have the moral and constitutional right to say whatever they want, including advocating for a separate state of Khalistan. Even keeping Sikh literature is considered a threat—while, in contrast, when someone says "Hindu Rashtra," nothing happens, as it is being normalized. The main issue is: why do people no longer want to be in India? When Sudhir Suri, a small leader of a hardline Hindutva party, was killed in Punjab, other leaders threatened to attack the Golden Temple again, as was done in 1984, and to repeat the Sikh genocide of November 1984. No action was taken against them, as if such threats are normal. But if a Sikh says something—even if allowed by the Constitution—he is jailed without bail.

Fake Charges, Unconstitutional Arrests

According to Amritpal Singh, not only Sikhs but also Muslims and Hindus in Punjab support him. Local media interviewed many Hindus who expressed support, saying he is doing nothing wrong and simply preaching Sikhism. He is encouraging addicts to stop using drugs. Not only Sikhs but all, especially Hindus, showered rose petals in Ludhiana on his arrival during the Khalsa Vaheer a few months ago. Many Sikh and Hindu parents brought their young kids so that they could come to their senses and stop using drugs.

And the Hindus who are baffled in Punjab—where something positive like the fight against drugs is taking place—are not regular people living their lives. They are the associates of Shiv Sena and RSS in Punjab who propagate aggressive Hindutva among the people of Punjab. They deliver hateful speeches against Sikhs who are merely demanding their rights. National channels are spreading fake propaganda like "Uganda Radio." This will only worsen the situation. For the national media, Punjabis are nationalists only if they remain silent about everything—whether it’s the looting of Punjab’s resources, the overdose deaths of youth, or their sons getting martyred at the border every day for the country.

To the point that Indian media questions, “Why are there so many supporters of Punjab or Khalistan outside India but not in India?” It is partly true because youngsters living abroad feel freer to express themselves and speak up for the rights of Punjab and Sikhs, as they cannot be targeted by police on fake charges as in India. Though Sikhs living in Punjab protest for their rights and the legitimate demands of their state, they are often cornered by media propaganda that labels them as terrorists. Police also arrest them by lodging FIRs with fake charges. As a result—as seen in the fake arrest of Toofan Singh, a member of Waris Punjab De, and his subsequent release after clashes with police—they are given a sense of being outsiders, which makes them feel like second-class citizens.

The rules and regulations should be the same for everyone, irrespective of religion or ethnicity. Everyone living in the country should be treated equally. Sikhs cannot and will not be shamed or threatened for demanding their rights. They will not accept being treated like second-class citizens. These events are being observed globally, which is why India is sliding down in the Free Media and Democracy Index. Nothing good will come out of blaming the people of Punjab or Sikhs if they speak against the biased behavior and actions of the central government toward them or their Fatherland, Punjab. 

(The author is currently based in New Zealand, with a deep interest in the history of Punjab and global affairs. He works part-time as a nurse and is a full-time investor. He can be reached at sewak.toor97@gmail.com.)