From: godura@tweedledum.cis.udel.edu (Ruchir Godura)
Subject: Re: Should Indian states need more autonomy?
Organization: University of Delaware, Newark
Date: Wed, 2 Sep 1992 18:37:27 GMT

In article <rs.715425580@radon.sys.uea.ac.uk> rs@sys.uea.ac.uk (CHE Guest News Login) writes:
>juvvadi@csgrad.cs.vt.edu (Ramana R. Juvvadi) writes:
>
>>In article <1992Sep1.205513.19366@udel.edu> godura@zeus.cis.udel.edu (Ruchir Godura) writes:
>
>
>>>I am a Punjabi, and I've lived in Delhi for 4 years. I do not know who
>>>you spoke to, but I am yet to meet a Sikh who wants to secede.
>
>I don't agree with you. The situation in Delhi is entirely different from PunjabI have lived in Punjab for 20 years and lived in Delhi for 6 years. I agree that sikhs in Delhi don't want to secede, but in Punjab, I still have to find a Sikhwho has refused khalistan, if offered.
>

Your being in the UK has probably to do with the view you hold. I have
visited Punjab and Chandigarh often, and I have relatives there. My view
of the situation is that the main grouse that Sikhs have is that
    1) Their religious places be left alone. Bluestar still rankles.
    2) Promises made by the centre like transfer of Chandigarh, sharing
    of river waters, etc be fulfilled.
    3) If these cannot be completed within the Indian Union, we would
    like to part ways.

Given a choice, they would still like to remain with India. It is the
Sikhs in USA, UK, who are not going to suffer from the violence and
killings, that continue to prevent this from happening by providing
support to the terrorists. Sikhs are closer culturally and even
religiously to Punjabi Hindus than to any other community, and the
problems in living together are only political.
If it comes to that, let terrorism stop and have a plebiscite in Punjab.
You will find out how wrong you are.
Another of the grouses is that in recruitment to the army, the extra
preferrence given to the Sikhs has been withdrawn .. would you call that
the complaint of an apatriotic people?

>Delhi sikhs, will not join khalistan, even after its formation, as Delhi Muslimsdid, on formation of Pakistan, unless forced by riots like 1984.
>
>So if you want to judge situation, then go and stay in Punjab. Their day starts
>with sun rise and finishes with sun set. No body is on the streets after 7 p.m.
>People are scared of militants and police equally.
>
So what does that prove ? Do you think that the police are enjoying
their jobs ? They are trying, at the risk of their lives, to protect
the people. The root of the problem is terrorism, and those  
who lie tucked away safely in USA and UK supporting the killing of
innocent people in Punjab.
Lastly, why should there be a Sikh homeland at all ? The Hindus living
in Punjab have as much of a right to the land there. They comprise 49 %
of the population there. If you can find even 2 % ( And I still state
that it is a LARGE majority ) Sikhs not in favour of creating Khalistan,
you have a water tight case for keeping Punjab in India.
It is another case if Pakistan turns generous and provides you land to
set up your own state .. then, just go ahead, and help yourself.
>guest

Ruchir.
Newsgroups: soc.culture.indian