RobbieS
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At the height of terrorism in Punjab, KPS Gill is said to have remarked that it was a battle between Jutt Sikhs. As a Jutt Sikh—those who sneer at such categorisation live in an India that exists only in their imagination—I can only add that Punjab is still part of the Indian State because there were an overwhelming number of Jutt Sikhs who felt that the Idea of India was worth defending.
Cant agree more with the above extract. As a Jatt Sikh myself, I have often been split between two half of my community. But usually after careful reflection I have found myself in India's side of the fence rather than Khalistan's. And the author correctly point out the key difference between the action in Punjab vs. the one in Kashmir. In Punjab, the Punjab Police led by a Jatt Sikh and made up 75% of Jatt Sikhs led counter-insurgency operations against a Khalistani cadre more than 90% made up of Jatt Sikhs themselves. This fight within the community itself led to the realization of the futility of the conflict.
Unfortunately this hasn't been the case in Kashmir. The J&K Police though increasingly active has been overruled by the Center and controlled has inevitably passed to the Army. This suggests that the root alienation has still not been addressed as the Army cannot trust the local Police for taking care of Operations. And as further use of Central forces is going to inclrease alienation its best to address this root cause by talks. We have tried force and it hasnt helped.
Lets take the other course now. Lets even discuss the issue of Azadi if that brings every separatist to the table. Lets send a signal to all others fighting the Union that you dont necessarily have to use violence to make us listen. We are willing to talk if you are too. Azadi might not be possible, due to political, geographic and ethnic reasons but at least if talking about it helps soothe some pain, lets do it.