SIKH DIASPORA AND THE MOVEMENT FOR KHALISTAN

Author(s): Shinder Purewal

Source: The Indian Journal of Political Science , OCT - DEC., 2011, Vol. 72, No. 4 (OCT -
DEC., 2011), pp. 1131-1142
Published by: Indian Political Science Association

Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/41856545

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The Indian Journal of Political Science
Vol. LXXII, No. 4, Oct-Dec., 201 1, pp. 1 131-1 142

SIKH DIASPORA AND THE MOVEMENT FOR KHALISTAN

Shinder Purewal

This paper focuses on the movement forKhalistan, a separate Sikh state, in Sikh Diaspora.
It will analyze how and why a segment of émigré Sikh community , which had earlier
produced valiant Gadharite revolutionaries against the British Raj , turned against the
Indian state? The paper has divided this separatist movement in three distinct periods: (0
The politics of 'Sikh Home Rule' movement from 1960's to 1976; (ii) Terrorist Movement
for Khalistan from 1978 to 1993, and (iii) the politics of ' grievance ' from 1994 to present
The first period witnessed the rise of a small group of Sikh separatists in Britain and the
United Sates, as minor pawns of Cold War politics in the South Asian context The
second period witnessed the emergence õt ô major terrorist network of Sikh militants
armed, trained and, to certain extent, financed by Pakistan, as battle-lines were drawn
between two superpowers in Afghan war theatre. The third period has witnessed the
decline of militancy and violence associated with Sikh secessionist movement, and the
adoption of a new strategy cloaked in the language of justice and human rights .

opened its immigration doors. In late 1950s

In the postwar period, most Western
and early 1960s a limited number of trained
societies had very little population of Sikh
immigrants, and, with the exception of and
the educated Sikh professionals started
westward journey as new opportunities
United Kingdom (UK) and the United States
opened in expanding western economies.
(US), many had very little interest in South
The larger migration patterns started after the
Asia. Sikh soldiers serving with the British
army were the first to settle in Canada, success
the of 'green revolution' technologies in
the Punjab. In the early 1970s, a large
UK and the US. In 1897, after participating
number of unemployed and semi-employed
in the golden jubilee function of Queen
youth came and settled mostly in Canada,
Victoria's coronation, Sikh soldiers first came

but also in England and the US. They were

to the west coast of Canada. As a result, most

followed by one of largest waves of Sikhs

Sikhs in the early 20th century were settled
on the Pacific West Coast of North America.
immigrants in history in the 1980s and 1990s.
While most of them came to traditional Sikh
Many had found a route through Hong Kong
and Shanghai ports, where they workeddestinations
in like Canada, the UK and the US,

many settled in other western countries like

the security apparatus of the British colonial
administration. The educated strata of the
Germany, Austria, France, Italy etc.

Sikhs came to study in the universities of both

Sikh Home Rule
the UK and the US. While most of the

educated Sikhs went back to newly While earlier Sikh émigrés joined anti-
British colonial movements in the UK and in
independent India, Sikh soldiers came in
North America, the politics of post-
large numbers to settle in England after
independent India witnessed a new trend.
World War II, as the British government

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The Indian Journal of Political Science 1 132

Although Sikh Diaspora's numbers

war with were
the Soviets. Unable too
to comprehend
small to make any impact onofthe
the realities South post-1947
Asian geo-politics, the
political developments,
US beganthe seeds
searching for alliesof a
to 'contain
secessionist movement were sown. A small communism.' For Indian leadership, the real
segment of Sikh émigré community startedissue was to deal with economic
turning the wheel of patriotic movement inbackwardness, task of nation-building,
the opposite direction. As a result, in the earlystrengthening secular and democr
1960s, the Sikh Home Rule movement system. India was willing to deal on frie
started under the leadership of a London basis with any small, middle or superpo
based Sikh émigré, Sardar Charan Singh to develop its economic and political sys
Panchi. A discussion paper on de-classified Prime Minister Nehru wrote that after

operations of Pakistan's Inter-Service- independence "we appeared to have no

Intelligence (ISI) agency states that the inherited problems and conflicts with any
agency supported this Panchi led movement country."3 Apart from Pakistan, the statement
against India, but it was later transformed into seems to be accurate as India tried to

Khalistan movement under the leadership of develop friendly relations with not only
Dr. Jagjit Singh Chohan1. It had the imprint Western democracies, but also socialist
of classical Cold War proxy war against India, China and USSR. For the US, India was "a
and its non-aligned foreign policy. Apartfrom land of mystery, exotic and inscrutable."4 In
iSI's involvement in Sikh secessionism, a a hurried manner, the US concluded a
tacit approval came from the United States security agreement with Pakistan in 1954 to
and its cold war allies like Britain, where Jagjit deal with Soviet security threat to Middle East.

Singh Chohan and other Khalistani Robert McMahon comments that in a rather

protagonists had resided. US-Sikh relations strange fashion, the security partnership with
came under radar for the first time when Dr. Pakistan was forged by the US based not on
Chohan, a former Akali minister from Punjab, American "interests in South Asia, but about
published a half-page advertisement in the strategic calculations about Middle East."5
New York Times, on 11 October 1971,
While the US administration remained
making a case for Khalistan.2
largely unhappy with India's non-aligned and
After India's independence and pro-Soviet foreign policy, it was still not ready
partition, the US had shown no deepto abandon India for Pakistan. During 1962
understanding of country's new journey after Sino-lndian war, the US showed huge
two centuries of colonial rule. Policy makersinterest in supporting India against Chinese
in Washington were consumed by new cold military adventure. In 1971 Bangladesh war,

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Sikh Diaspora and the Movement for Khalistan 1 1 33
however, the US tilt toward Pakistan did
One not
of the biggest myths propagated
byconclude
please India; and India's decision to Sikh secessionists is about the British
a 'Friendship Treaty' with Soviet proposal
Union for
dida separate Sikh state during
not please the US. Further, as partition
the Sino- discussions in 1947. The Akali and
American relations witnessed détente, Sikh leadership of the time is blamed for
Pakistan's position as a strategic partner
rejection of this proposal6, and blamed for
against Soviet threat increased. It was furthertrusting Indian leadership of Mahatma
Gandhi and Pandit Nehru. In fact, no such
cemented by Soviet invasion of Afghanistan
in December 1979. For the next ten years,proposal was ever made to any Sikh
Pakistan became a frontline state to "contain
delegation by the British7. However, there is
communism." All Western countries no doubt that Sikh leaders were vigorously
supported Pakistan with economicopposed
and to the creation of Pakistan by
political aid, as Afghanistan became bifurcating
a hot Punjab, as they feared they would

spot for cold war. be the biggest losers. History proved them
riaht as millions of Sikhs and Hindus had to
While India did not have cordial
leave their properties and prosperous lives
relations with many western capitals in the
to migrate to eastern Punjab, just as millions
first three decades after independence, there
of Muslims had to leave their homes in India.
is no evidence to suggest that Sikh
secessionist movement received any official After bloody partition, Sikh leadership

backing from London, Ottawa or Washington. threw its lot with the Congress party, as Akali
There is no doubt that certain elements in Dal was formally disbanded. This decision
the British or the US governments may have did not please many migrant Sikh leaders
been friendly with secessionist leaders, but, from trading classes, including Master Tara
unlike the Kashmiri separatists, the Sikhs did Singh, who were struggling to settle in new
not receive direct or indirect official sympathy. markets of Punjab and Delhi. A new cause

Many western governments continued to tum to unite the Sikhs under the command of

a blind eye to Sikh secessionists, as they Akali leadership was provided by States Re-
were not seen posing any real internal threat. Organization Commission, as it refused to
Separatist leadership, however, did not bifurcate the sensitive border state on the
abandon its efforts to lobby western capitals. basis of linguistic formula. It reasoned that
London based secessionists were particularly Where border areas are not under the direct
active to influence the British government to control of the Centre, it would be safer to have

do "historic justice" by supporting a Sikh state, relatively large and resourceful states. . . .It is

as the British had ended the Sikh raj. neither possible nor desirable to reorganize

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The Indian Journal of Political Science 1 1 34

States on the basis of a Union,

single test of either
especially after the conc
language or culture; a USSR
balanced approach,
Treaty of Friendship.
which takes all relevant meetings
factors into account
with London based
is necessary.8 Chohan and US based Ganga S
increased under the watchful e
Akali leadership launched a state-wide
and US officials. The new
agitation to demand the bifurcation of Punjab
secessionist activities was
on the basis of language formula, which had
demands included in Akali Da
been used to divide southern states of India.
Sahib Resolutions. While this resolution
This was turned into a new cry for a Sikh
demanded a highly decentralized federation
dominated state in the northwest of India.
in India, Indra Gandhi and her Congress party
Émigré Sikh leaders like Sardar Panchi used
dubbed this as a secessionist document.
this just demand for a Punjabi speaking state
to convince Sikh Diaspora Theto decade
support Sikh the
of 1970s witnessed
rule movement. Meantime, in the intense
success of 'Green Revolution' technologies,
atmosphere of cold war politics,
on the one hand, andespecially
the elimination of small
after the Cuba Missile Crisis, the United
and medium land holders, on the other. It was
States could not ignore any anti-India
also a decade card
in which educated and it
semi-
could posses as a foreign policy tool. After
educated youth belonging to increasingly
losing the 1965 war, Pakistan also intensified
pauperised Sikh farming families started
its activities to weaken migrating
India abroad,
by supporting
especially to Canada and
Sikh home rule along with its support for
the United States. While majority of these
Kashmiri separatists. Thus, it was not
youth belonged to Naxalite and other left wing
surprising that Pakistani backed Khalistani
student and youth groups, there were many
leader, Dr. Chohan, had declared his
who belonged to All India Sikh Student
intention to set-up a parallel
Federationgovernment in that
(AISSF). It was the latter
Nankana Sahib, the birth place
became easy targetof
for Guru
Khalistani
Nanak, in Pakistan.
propaganda. Unable to return home because
of brutal in
After losing Bangladesh economic
1971,reality, and faced with
the
open racism in its
Pakistani regime re-invigorated Western societies,
policy of these
youth
playing Sikh card against were receptive
India. Generalto anti-India
Niazifeelings.
The Khalistani
had surrendered to a Sikh armyleaders preached that Punjab
commander,
was a victim
Lieutenant-General Arora. of colonization process
Meantime, some of Delhi

right wing politicians in government,

Washington and Sikhswere
would not be able to
not
live and prosper
pleased with India's growing tiesinwith
a Hindu majority
Soviet state of

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Sikh Diaspora and the Movement for Khalistan 1 1 35
India. activities against the followers of Nirankari
movement and its leadership. In 1981,
Towards the end of 1970s, a series of
Parmar organized Babbar Khalsa in Canada
local, regional and international events gave
with its headquarters in Vancouver. Its
an impetus to Sikh secessionist movement.
leaders and followers collected money to
First and foremost, after losing both state and
support violent politics of assassination in
central elections, the Congress leaders like
Punjab. The following year, Indian
Giani Zail Singh and Sanjay Gandhi started
government requested Canadian
playing 'Sikh' card to weaken their opponents
government to extradite Parmar but Canada
in Akali Dal and Jan Sangh. The bloody
refused.10
skirmishes between the Nirankaris and the
activists of Akhand Kirtani Jatha in Amritsar Meantime, the traditional leaders of
in April 1978 were part and parcel of such Khalistani movement in the UK and the US

Machiavellian manoeuvres. Secondly, continued to lobby for official support from

various factions of Akali Dal became more Western capitals. As Dr. Jagjit Singh Chohan
radicalized in the politics of one-up-man ship. became a frequent guest in Washington DC,
Thirdly, after Iranian revolution and the Soviet Indian government launched a formal
invasion of Afghanistan, the South-Western complaint with state department. As a result,
Asia became a center for Cold War rivalry. the US refused to grant any visa to Dr.
The stage was set for the beginning of Sikh Chohan in 1984, as he was a permanent
terrorist movement. resident in Britain. However, Senator Jesse
Helms found a way to circumvent this ban
Terrorist Movement for Khalistan
by inviting Chohan to testify before the United
While Sikh secessionists in all major States Senate Agriculture Committee. While
Western capitals played a vital role insome politicians in the US and other Western
propagating and supporting terroristcapitals remained friendly toward Sikh
movement in the state of Punjab, Sikhsecessionists, the officials of these countries
Diaspora of Canada, however, played a did not make any public pronouncements in
central role in this barbaric violence. The
favour of Khalistan. During his May 1 984 visit

to India,
most prominent figure in this cycle of violence Vice-president George Bush
among émigré Sikhs was Talwinder Singh
'apparently informed the Indian government
Parmar. He, along with Sukhdev Singh that the CIA was not conspiring with Sikh
Babbar, founded a terrorist organization
terrorists against India. This marked one of
called Babbar Khalsa in 19789. Seizing upon
only a few departures from US policy against
anti-Nirankari sentiments among Sikh
confirming or denying reported CIA
masses, the Babbar Khalsa first directed its

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The Indian Journal of Political Science 1136

activities.'11 officials knew Khalistan was a tall order, they

continued to support terrorist activities in

The situation on Pakistani front,
Punjab to create problems for Indian security
however, was different. As a frontline state,
forces. The problem in Punjab would mean
Pakistan had become the darling of the
less force in Kashmir- the real target of
Western world. The money and weapons
Pakistani foreign policy. It would also mean
from Western and Saudi/Arab sources to
the supply lines would be disrupted to Jammu
'liberate' Afghanistan landed in the hands of
and Kashmir region, which cleared the way
ISI. Its long-standing ambition to foment
for Kashmiri separatists to launch
internal problems in Kashmir and Punjab
coordinated attacks against India, and
were finally being realized. Pakistani
intensify the struggle to separate and join
diplomats established regular contacts with
Pakistan.
Sikh secessionists in Western capitals, and
made their travels to Pakistan regular and Pakistani help alone could not have
fruitful. Khalistani organizations, suchcontinued
as to foment trouble in Punjab. Two
Babbar Khalsa and International Sikh Youth major events in 1984- Army's entry in the
Federation (ISYF), established camps to train Golden Temple and the massacres of Sikh
terrorists with the help and guidance of ISI. men and women in the aftermath of Prime
General Zia-UI-Haq, born in Jalandhar Minister Indira Gandhi's assassination-

(Punjab), regularly met with Sikh guests to forced even ordinary Sikhs to question the
encourage them to fight. However, a former real motives of Indian government, and be
Zia advisor, M.P. Bhandara, denied that the more sympathetic to secessionist
General ever wanted a Khalistani state.12 propaganda. Sikhs turned out in thousands
Apparently, Zia-UI-Haq was irritated at the in all western capitals to protest army's action
inclusion of Pakistani territory in Khalistani in Amritsar. Governments rational did not
map issued by the Council of Khalistan. The convince ordinary Sikhs that it was necessary
map basically suggested same territory as to remove terrorists from the Golden Temple.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh's state borders in In addition, the massacres of Sikhs in Delhi
addition to a corridor through Rajasthan andand other cities across India in the aftermath
Gujarat for a sea-port. Thus, the General had of Mrs. Gandhi's assassination created
a standing order to keep Khalistanis "under feelings of alienation among Sikh Diaspora.
strict surveillance."13
As secessionists capitalized on this
This, however, did not mean that
growing alienation, the violent aspect of the
support for Sikh terrorist movement was on movement took over previously peaceful
the t>ack burner of ISI. While Pakistani
protests in Western countries. Sikh temples

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Sikh Diaspora and the Movement for Khaiistan 1 1 37

were captured by the extremist elements,

away from this violent movement, and started

urging Sikh
which gave them ready made platforms for masses to disassociate
themselves from terrorist elements in the
secessionist propaganda and enormous
amount of wealth to fund terrorist community.
activities. Since they were also witnesses

While all western countries witnessed an in the Air India trial, the Khalistani elements
assassinated both editors.
upsurge of violence in Sikh Diaspora,
Canada became the hub of extremism. Sikh
The secessionist movement abroad
separatists planted two bombs in Air India
was being fuelled by an influx of a large
flights in June 1985. While one exploded at
number of 'refugees' and immigrants from
Narita Airport in Tokyo, as the bags were
Punjab. Many youngsters involved in terrorist
being transferred to Air India flight killing two
activities managed to flee abroad and
baggage handlers; the other exploded over
claimed 'refugee' status. Western countries'
the Atlantic killing all 329 passengers in Air
liberal refugee policies became a haven far
India flight 18214.
secessionist elements to avoid punishments

Air India bombing was the biggest

for their deeds in Punjab. As a result, every
terrorist mass murder in the history Sikh
of militant, group from Bhindrawaie Tigers
Force to Khaiistan Commando Force, from
Canada. It shocked everyone including Sikh
Khaiistan Liberation Force to Khaiistan
Diaspora, as many Sikh families lost their
Zindabad Force established its branch plants
loved ones in this bombing. While a number
of other violent incidents took place in Western countries. In addition, the old
Canada and other western countries, the
established groups such as Babbar Khalsa
mass murder of 329 people alerted the
International (BKI), International Sikh Youth
Federation (ISYF), Dal Khalsa and Akhand
governments of Western capitals. What was
Kirtni Jatha continued to function. For official
hitherto considered a distance problem of
India suddenly became a domestic issue.
lobbying in Western capitals, the old 'Council
of Khaiistan' continued to function in the US
The security forces started taking this threat
and the UK. Its pattern was copied by World
more seriously. It also split the movement
Sikh Organization (WSO) established in
as various segments of the secessionist
Canada in 1 984. Terrorist organizations were
movement questioned the barbarity of such
directly involved in violence, the Khaiistan
terrorist tactics. Two leading propagandists
Council and WSO became their official
and insiders of Khaiistan movement (Tarsem
apologists, and main anti-India lobbyists.
Singh Purewal, editor, Des Pardes based in
London and Tara Singh Hayer, editor, Indo-
While the world was focused on
Canadian Times based in Vancouver) turned

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The Indian Journal of Political Science 1138

also took
Afghanistan and nuclear raceadvantage of this lawlessness
between two to
superpowers, the Khalistani elements commit heinous crimes, and fill their coffers

continued to use every possible mean with briberies and loot15. This violent period

available to support terrorist movement in finally came to an end in 1993. The newly
Punjab. There were calls, however, from elected government of Chief Minister Beant
various political circles to pay close attention Singh took decisive measures under its
to the activities of Sikh elements, albeit very police chief, KPS Gill, to eliminate all terrorist

limited. Canada's foreign minister, Joe Clark, organizations, and restore normalcy in
had warned Canadians in mid-1 980's not to Punjab. As Sikh masses had started
deal with ISYF, BKI and WSO. Unfortunately questioning the barbarity of tactics pursued
not all politicians paid much attention to such by the terrorists in Punjab and abroad, the
warnings. Canada's main governing party, secessionists had to find a new strategy to
federal Liberais, continued to enjoy support continue the movement to create an
from Sikh militants. During its major independent state of Khalistan. It came in the

leadership race in 1990, the two main name of human rights and the politics of
contenders, Jean Chretien and Paul Martin, grievance.
received the support of WSO and ISYF
The Politics of Grievance
respectively Various Congressmen and
Senators, like Dan Burton and Jesse Helms, The stories of true nature of terrorists

were the recipient of such support in the US. that emerged after 1993 did not please the
protagonists of Khalistan abroad. Instead of
As senseless killings, rapes and
a liberation movement it had turned into a
kidnappings continued ir. the Punjab, the
camp of robbers and rapists. The sympathy
victims of such violence started opposing
that emerged among Sikhs toward
secessionists. Migrants and refugees of
secessionists in 1984 turned into anger.
1980s and 1990s from Punjab also included
Individuals involved in the militant movement
victims of both terrorist and police violence
abroad had become enormously rich by
in Punjab. They educated people living in
looting Sikh temples and collected funds in
western societies about the true nature of the
the name of fighting liberation struggle. Sikh
so-called liberation movement for Khalistan.
image had suffered enormously as a result
Gun totting individuals belonging to more
of terrorist activities. Return of normalcy in
than a dozen terrorist organizations were
the Punjab demoralized all secessionists in
heavily involved in intimidation, robberies,
various Western societies, where Sikhs were
rapes, kidnappings and loot of ordinary
seen with suspicion.
villagers. The police and para-military forces

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Sikh Diaspora and the Movement for Khalistan 1 1 39

in Soviet
In the meantime, the collapse of particular. A ready made propaganda
Union not only meant an end of offensive
Cold War was handed to the secessionists

but also an end of Afghan war.byWestern

the Congress Party. It continued to offer
various
attention turned away from South-West posts to people who were involved
Asia,

and focused on new hot spots in the Sikh

like themassacres of 1984.
Balkans and former eastern European
Important remembrance days like the
states. India was no longer in the 'wrong' cold
Operation Bluestar in June and the Sikh
war camp. Liberalization of Indian economy
massacres in November became the main
was viewed as a positive step away from old
focal points of new strategy. All secessionist
Soviet style command economy. This
organizations, and separatist controlled Sikh
presented enormous opportunities for
temples are heavily involved in highlighting
western companies eager for fresh markets.
the issues of injustice and human rights. It is
This does not, however, mean that western
ironic; however, that they present these
countries had any better understanding of
demands for justice and rights in halls and
threats of terrorism India faced in Kashmir,
temples filled with pictures of terrorists, who
and had faced in the Punjab. It came after
were involved in murders, rapes and plunder.
September 2001 bombings of twin towers in
Ordinary Sikhs, in general, and the second
the US.
generation of Sikh Diaspora, in particular, find

this anti-India propaganda attractive and

New dawn of awareness brought a sharp
convincing. If a country could not punish the
focus on all forms of terrorism. As a result,
guilty of 1984 massacres, then what kind of
western capitals started the process of
democracy and rule of law exists in India?16

banning terrorist organizations. Canada, the

As international community is waging
UK and the US banned Babbar Khalsa and
a war against terrorism, it is difficult for Sikh
International Sikh Youth Federation.
secessionist to promote and defend violent
Although, individuals associated with these
methods, as was the case in the past.
associations remained free, the new situation
Further, the new pro-India approach of
made it difficult to re-group and carry out
various western countries has made it difficult
same old politics. In this new situation, the
for Sikhs to use these countries for anti-India
umbrella groups like Khalistan Council and
activities. The old cold war mentality has
WSO started playing important role in the
disappeared, and a new era of strategic
politics of Sikh secessionism. New strategy
partnership with India has begun. Despite
focused on highlighting 'human rights'
domestic and international opposition,
violations in India, in general, and the Punjab,
President Bush was able to push a nuclear

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The Indian Journal of Political Science 1 140

Conclusion a non-signatory
deal with India despite being
to Non-Proliferation-Treaty.
AsWashington now in India
Sikh militancy disappeared
views India as a sisterin secular
mid-1990s, itdemocracy
continued to exist in Sikh
with rule of law, which faces
Diaspora. many
In the changed similar
environment of post
problems faced by open western
9/11 societies17.
world in western capitals, however, the
Canadian government has not elements
secessionist only are
signed
unable to
its own nuclear deal with India open
advocate but violence
it is ready
against India. This
to sign a free trade agreement
does not with the
mean the South
project is abandoned.
Asian giant. Similar strategic partnerships
From the time it started as a are
minor movement
emerging between India
for 'Sikh and Western
Home Rule' in 1960s to present, the
European capitals. movement has witnessed various ups and
downs among émigré Sikhs. In the past, most
The changed strategy of Khalistani
secessionist ranks were filled by recent Sikh
elements only reflects new ground reality.
migrants from India. At present, it has
They no longer enjoy the kind of support level
established some presence in the second
in Sikh Diaspora, which existed in the 1980s,
generation of Sikhs in the UK, the US and
and tne tolerance level of western societies
Canada. Alarmed by the continuing presence
toward violence has reached its zenith.
of Sikh secessionists in Sikh Diaspora, Prime
However, as many roads of modem terrorism
Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, during his trip
lead to Pakistan, Islamabad has not
to attend G-20 Summit in Toronto, appealed
abandoned its key strategy of fighting proxy
to the Canadian government to curb
wars in India through terrorist networks. Sikh
separatists' activities. Dr. Singh stated:
terrorists are part and parcel of ISI's efforts
to revive terrorism in Punjab. In fact, Pakistani Sikh extremism, separatism and
militancy were a problem in India more than
government did not hide its strategy of using

the 'Sikh card' against India. When all two

Sikh decades ago. Today, Punjab is at peace
gurdwaras in Pakistan were organized and
intothere is growth and prosperity. There are,
Pakistan Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee however, some elements outside India,
(PGPC), Islamabad government appointedincluding in Canada, who try to keep this
a former ISI chief, Lieutenant-General Javedissue alive for their own purposes. In many

Nisar, as its chairman. Upon his appointment, cases, such elements have links to or are
General Nisar "reiterated his resolve to revive themselves wedded to terrorism.

militancy in Punjab saying he stood by the Indian government's concern is

goal of Khalistan and would work to that end understandable as Sikh Diaspora represents
as PGPC chair."18
a large portion of vibrant Sikh community in

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Sikh Diaspora and the Movement for Khalistan 1 141

India. Nearly two million Sikhs, outbureaucracy-

of a total a vast majority of people have
been inculcated
population of 22 million, reside abroad. Four with fantastic anti-India
notions.
million Sikhs reside in other parts of India,
while 16 million live in the state of Punjab. A
These anti-India sentiments are
Sikh Diaspora that represents nearly ten per
shared by Khalistani protagonists abroad. At
cent of total Sikh population has a strong
every opportune moment, the secessionist
voice, especially with its presence in western
Sikhs do not fail to praise Pakistan and its
liberal democracies. Notwithstanding its
anti-India activities. In fact, the establishment
strength, only small portions of Sikh émigré
of the state of Pakistan on the basis of religion
population support the secessionist
had provided basic rational for a separate
movement. However, modern means of
SiKh state. This convergence of interests
communication, along with guaranteed
between the Pakistani state and the
liberties and freedoms in western societies,
secessionist Sikhs will continue to fuel the
have provided the secessionists with a louder
fires of separatism.
voice.

Despite this loud voice and occasional

Notes and References :
success in lobbying some western law
1. http://Forum.PakistanDefence.com
makers with money and votes, the official
2. Cited in Shinder Purewal (2000). Sikh
response to Sikh secessionism from western Ethnonationalism and the Political Economy of
Punjab. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, p.
capitals in the post-cold war period has been 131.

largely negative. More recently, the focus on 3. Jawaharlal Nehru. " Changing India." Foreign
Affairs, April 1963.
terrorism has brought western countries
4. Andrew Jon Rotter (2000). Comrades at Odds:
more closer to India. Emerging India is now The United States and India, 1947-1964.
Cornell University Press, p. 8.
seen as a strategic partner. In this context,
5. Robert J. MacMahon (1996). The Cold War on
the movement for Khalistan has no official Periphery : The United States, India and
Pakistan . Columbia University Press, p. 338
sympathy anywhere except in Islamabad.
6. Sardar Baldev Singh, former defence minister
This Pakistani support stems from the core of India, and Master Tara Singh, former
president of Akali Dal, are blamed for not
of its official national ideology. In the words 'seizing' this historic moment.

of Najum Mushtaq : 7. My personal conversations with eminent Sikh

historians, Dr. Indu Banga and Dr. J. S . Grewal,
The 'ideology of Pakistan' as defined were enlightening on this subject, as this myth
of 'British proposal ' is so much a part of folk
to students at every school and college in lore history. (Chandigarh: November 15, 1996)

the country is nothing except anti-lndianism.8. Javeed Alàm (1982). 'Congress Party:
Consensus Politics to Autocratic Regime'.
In every walk of life in Pakistan- from Economic and Political Weekly, 24 (38): 1144
9. It had no connection with Babar Khalsa founded
academia to journalism, from sports to
in 1920 as a patriotic anti-British movement.

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The Indian Journal of Political Science 1142

10. India and Canada did not 182"

have by the any extradition
former Supreme Court Justice John
Major.
treaty at that time. Two years afterJusticethe
Major Kanishka
submitted his report on
June concluded
bombing, Canada and India 16, 2010. For details onan
Air-India story,
see Kim Bolan (2005). Loss of Faith: How the
extradition treaty in 1987.
Air India Bombers Got Away with Murder?
1 1. Satu P. Limaye (1993). US-India Relations: The
Toronto: McClelland and Stewart.
Pursuit of Accommodation. Boulder: Westview
Press, p. 190. 15. See Shinder Purewal (2000). Sikh
Ethnonationalism and the Political Economy of
12. Varinder Walia and Ashok Sethi, m Zia Never
Punjab. New Delhi: Oxford University Press.
Supported Khalistan". www.tribuneindia.com/
2003/20030509/main4. htm#2. 16. In 2010, a petitton alleging India had committed
13. Ibid. genocide against Sikhs was presented to
Canadian pariiament by a pro-Khalistan Liberal
14. How unprepared were western authorities
Member of toParliament. Compared with the UK
deal with Sikh terrorism is highlighted bythe
and the US, the Khalistani elements have been
fact that it took more than twenty years for
more successful in Canada to elect MLAs and
Canadian government to book two individuals
MPs, including members of cabinet, from their
fór this mass murder - Ripudaman Singh Malik
own families.
and Ajaib Singh Bagri. While both Malik and
17. Nicholas Burns. " America's Strategic
Bagri were found ' hot guilty the bomb maker
Opportunity with India: The New U.S. -India
Inderjit Singh Reyat was found guilty and
Partnership. Foreign Affairs # November-
sentenced. As a result of major investigative
December 2007.
bungling, security and investigative agencies
destroyed evidence, and proved to be 18. Times of India, April 27, 1999.
ineffective in dealing with a major disaster of 19. The Hindu, June 27, 2010
such proportions. Noting the serious nature of
this mass murder, Prime Minister Harper 20. Cited in Yvette Claire Rosser (2003).
Islamisation of Pakistani Social Studies
appointed a commission of Inquiry into the
"Investigation of the Bombing of Air India Flight Textbooks. New Delhi : Rupa, p. 1.

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