From: kartik@hls.com (Kartik Chandrasekhar)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.indian
Subject: re:Khalistan
Date: 11 Dec 1992 12:57:18 -0600
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu

Hi,

This in reply to Gary Deol's posting:

I have no problem agreeing to the following points that you have
put forth.

1.	A steady reduction in the Sikh population in Punjab.
2.	The rich state of Punjab was made through the hard work of Sikhs.
3.	That small percent (2%) of the population accounts for one quarter of 
    India's GNP. 
4.	There are hardly any Sikh beggars in India. (I have never seen one)

The credit for the population reduction and the other points
mentioned above goes to the Sikhs and not to GOI or Sanjay Gandhi. I say 
credit because in todays world its a sign of maturity in a community if 
they control their population. As an example Tamil Nadu and Kerala also 
have reduced their birth-rates to a responsible level due to their high
literacy. In case of Punjab its literacy, awareness and the high status
given to women in the Sikh society that has led to the reduction. 

Another reason is the migration of the Sikhs themselves to the other
states. They are heavily involved in transportation companies (trucks), 
hotels and restaurants all over India. 

Regarding your blaming the Hindus for the 1984 Anti-Sikh riots and the
recent Babri-Masjid riots I plead no contest and accept the charge. However
as a horrified witness to the Nov 1 1984 riots in Indore I would like
to make a case. I saw the shops and vehicles destroyed and people
getting shot within 100 feet of me.

The people who riot are not people like you or me. Most of them are 
people from the slums and other disgruntled and greedy people who take 
advantage of the anarchy during the riots. I saw 7-8 year old 
slum-dwellers who got drunk in the process of looting a Sikh owned liquor 
store. These people probably did not even know Indira Gandhi. 
The looters you saw on TV during the LA riots hardly had sympathy
for Rodney King.  This is exactly the same thing happening now in 
Bhopal according to the conversation I had with my sister yesterday. 
Gangs of hoodlums roaming around the city attacking Hindus, Muslims or 
anybody.

The people we should blame for these problems are our politicians 
who divide and divide again our country to their advantage along
communal, religious and parochial lines. You rightfully blame the
Government of India however if the Akali Dal had stopped the in-fighting
and helped the people of Punjab elect a strong Government in Punjab they 
would have achieved more.

When I think of Sikhs I am reminded of a family friend who wanted to send
their fifth son to the army after having lost their first four sons in
the 1965 and 1971 war. Another Sikh family friend also comes to mind who 
would crack Sardar jokes all the time. These are the visions the Indians 
have about Sikhs - a merry, hardworking and brave community. I will never
forget the valor displayed by  the 10-11 year old Sikh boys who I saw
fighting to protect their family during the Indore riots.

From your posting you appear to be in favor of Khalistan. Remember the
birth pangs of a nation are violent and bloody. Do you really want to
it. A better option would to stay within India after all its as much yours
as mine or any other Indian and fight for your rights. Fight the Government 
and not the people. Lets get rid of this corrupt divisive and 
ineffective power structure that the political parties create.

kartik