ALLOW THEM TO COME HOME

The release of  Devinderpal Singh Bhullar after more than 20 years in jail for 1993 Delhi blasts was well reported in all print media. It was a significant development so far as applying balm to the frayed temper of the Sikh psyche as a whole is concerned. Parole to convicts is a routine affair but it is not a matter of right. It may be granted to those convicts who exhibit exemplary conduct while serving sentence. But for those convicts who are incarcerated for waging war against the country or participating in terrorist or militant campaigns, the same yardstick of “good conduct” cannot and should not apply. It is indeed a bold decision on the part of the government of the day indicating a new humane and pragmatic approach towards the Sikh militants serving sentences in Indian prisons.

Indian state has shown great flexibility in dealing with various kinds of extremist and militant movements across the country. The government has never shunned dialogue with those who have gone astray. In fact the government has worked overtime to bring such elements back to the mainstream through dialogue and negotiations. Track two diplomacy has been deployed and interlocutors with domain expertise have been engaged to end violence and establish democratic processes ensuring all round development. Reins of some states, particularly in the North East, were handed over to chiefs of extremist groups to end decades of violence and mistrust.

However, the same cannot be said of the Punjab militancy. After almost two decades of mayhem and much damage, the Punjab police under the able leadership of first JF Rebiero and then KPS Gill got the better of militancy. These astute strategists were given free hand and all kinds of support by their political bosses to root out militancy from the soil of Punjab. The brave and doughty people of Punjab also deserve credit for defeating militancy and the nefarious designs of our neighbor. Everyone realized the futility of having a separate state called Khalistan and the idea was buried deep for good.

But it did not have “and they lived happily ever after” end to the militancy. During the 1980s and 1990s thousands of Sikhs from Punjab and other parts of the country fled the country and sought asylum mainly in three countries – UK, Germany and Canada. There were largely three types of escapees: first, those who had actively participated in the militancy and had cases pending against them; second, some feared torture at the hands of the Punjab police because they espoused the cause of Khalistan albeit passively; and lastly, there was a section of youth who cashed on the bogey of militancy to seek asylum abroad to get jobs in their chosen lands of promise. They, in fact, had gone purely for economic reasons.

The police and intelligence establishments in India were genuinely worried about a relapse of the militancy and to deter these escapees from coming back home, exhaustive “Blacklists” were prepared. As it happens in bureaucratic structures, these lists were never reviewed periodically and no door was left open for those who wanted to return home. In fact two generations of Indian citizens have suffered by this rigid stand over the last three decades. Our missions abroad are alleged to have created their own “blacklists” to deny visa even to the deserving ones that further aggravated the situation and spurred alienation even of the moderate elements among the Sikh diaspora. After a lot of hue and cry most of the persons on these lists have been removed in the last few years leaving less than a score who will continue to attract restrictions.

The extant laws and rules in India do not allow consular assistance to those who have sought asylum in other countries. Their virtual status is that of persona non grata. There is urgent need to revisit the policy on the issue. Pending that a lot of our citizens lead a life of disillusionment with their motherland and are being swayed by hardliners who run a Hate India industry in those countries. These people rake in a lot of moolah from gullible Sikhs by espousing the cause of Khalistan. The money so collected is enjoyed by these people and partly spent on the ever flourishing 'industry of hate’. Our neighbor is gleefully stoking discontent among the prime warrior kaum of our nation. It is a travesty of justice that those who founded organisations like All India Sikh Students Federation and should have been brought to book are today on the rolls of the UK government and enjoying public awards.

 The official Blacklist may now have just sixteen names on it, but those on local blacklists face indifference and continued denial of visas to come and kiss the soil of their Punjab. It is for the government to analyse the number of delisted Sikhs who have availed of the newfound freedom to visit their motherland. If many have not paid a visit home, the government or the intelligence agencies must look into the reasons for that and clear any air of mistrust to facilitate at least one visit to Punjab. In fact, we should woo our Sikh brethren stranded or settled abroad due to the two decade of militancy to come back home to allay all fears and misconceptions in their minds.

It is common knowledge that Pakistan wants to bring the ghost of Khalistan back to life and keep the pot boiling in Kashmir. Perception of alienation is being exploited by Pakistan to rekindle militancy in Punjab and J&K. Prevailing socio-economic conditions, rampant unemployment, drug addiction and its flourishing trade and charges of widespread corruption provide fertile ground for sowing the seeds of trouble in Punjab.

The shrill anti-India pitch of some of the Punjabi TV channels in UK and continuous airing of venom against the Indian state and adulatory references to militancy and its protagonists is also denying the young generation an exposure to the truth on the ground back home. A bold policy initiative can pave the way for it and that should be the way forward. If any of the returnees indulge in any anti national activities, strictest possible legal action must be initiated against them. But they deserve an opportunity to establish a fresh bond with their motherland, people and society at large. India can ill afford recurrence of militancy in both the crucial border states of Punjab and J&K. In fact special attention must be paid to insulate the people of these states from the wanton propaganda from across the border for which investments may be made in raising human capital in the bordering and susceptible areas equipped with the latest surveillance and intelligence collection gadgetry.

Prime Minister Modi touched the right cords immediately after his touch down in the UK in November last year when he addressed the Sikhs and lauded their role in the freedom struggle and nation building. He also promised to dismantle the blacklist regime. True to his word the list has been revised and 36 names were dropped further in April this year before his visit to the US. Now the need is to create an environment of trust to facilitate the Sikh NRIs to visit their motherland and in a good number of cases the motherland of their parents.

(This article was published in the Millenium Post on 25 May, 2016)