Given ISI’s determination to revive insurgency in Punjab, anti-national elements must be dealt with stringently and those who raise pro-Khalistan slogans should be put behind bars
On November 3, Army Chief, General Bipin Rawat, while delivering a lecture at a seminar organised by the Centre for Land and Warfare Studies (CLAWS), emphatically mentioned that although at present Punjab is peaceful, but because of foreign linkages, attempts are being made “to revive insurgency in the state.” He also stated that “we have to be very careful” and we hould take early action, before it is too late. He emphasised that internal security is India’s leading problem but it cannot be resolved easily because of foreign assistance to insurgent groups. He also mentioned that foreign powers are trying to revitalise insurgency in Assam. He rightly asserted that only military cannot curb insurgency and all Government agencies, civil administration and police should work in cohesion to restore peace.
The Union Government has also informed Punjab Government that the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) is trying hard to reanimate insurgency in Punjab through Sikhs settled abroad, especially in Canada, Europe, the United States, and Australia. On August 12, 2018, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), a pro-Khalistan organisation, promoted the ‘London Declaration on Referendum 2020 for Sikhs’. The so-called referendum, which was organised with the financial and logistical support of the ISI, demanded an independent Khalistan.
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a resident of the United States is an important functionary of the SFJ. The organisers collected details, including passport copies, college documents, photographs, mobile numbers, email and WhatsApp addresses of Sikhs from Punjab in the name of sponsoring them, to attend the referendum. In this way they have collected details of large number of young Sikhs who were interested in attending the pro-Khalistan referendum. These details can be misused by the ISI as well as by pro-Khalistan elements in future. As the ISI is ready to finance the referendums, the SFJ declared that it will organise referendums in other countries as well.
The SFJ is planning to finance the visit of 100,000 Sikh pilgrims to Pakistan to celebrate 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak. The ISI would utilise the visit to distribute anti-India and pro- Khalistan literature and might try to instigate Khalistan sentiments to a large number of Sikhs visiting Pakistan. The Gurdwaras controlled by pro-Khalistan elements in Canada, the US and the UK have prohibited the entry of Indian diplomats, Indian Members of Parliament, et al. The Indian Government urged the Governments of these countries to lift the ban but they refused to help.
Security forces also unearthed a depraved plan of the ISI under which young persons of Pakistani origin and citizens of Western countries were cultivated and trained in Punjabi and Sikh traditions. Later on, they were sent to Punjab and marry Sikh girls and convert them into pro-Khalistan entities. Hence, the ISI is using not only young women to honey-trap but also using young men to allure Sikh women. However, the ulterior motive lies the revival of insurgency in Punjab.
The interrogation reports of Sikh terrorists, including Jagtar Singh Chief of Khalistan Tiger Force, clearly indicate that the ISI is fomenting trouble in Punjab and spread concocted reports in Pakistani media. These reports are picked up by international media, which are sympathetic to the intelligence agency.
As the ISI was funding lavishly, pro- Khalistan elements have created several terrorist outfits namely Khalistan Commando Force (KCF), Bhindranwala Tigers Force of Khalistan (BTFK), Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF), Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF), Khalistan Liberation Army, All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF), Khalistan Armed Force aka Dashmesh Regiment, Shaheed Khalsa Force, Khalistan Guerilla Force, Khalistan Security Force, et al.
However, these forces lack mass support and, hence, sometimes they put few pro-Khalistan posters or carry out terrorist activities. In 2015, three Sikh terrorists killed a superintendent of police, three home guards and three civilians in Dina Nagar police station (Gurdaspur), and Shiv Sena and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leaders were also assassinated. Analysts claim that these incidents happen when the ISI refuses to release funds unless their agents carry out some terrorist activities.
The ISI has given shelter to a few Sikh leaders, including KCF chief Paramjit Singh Panjwar, BKI chief Wadhawa Singh Babbar, ISYF chief Lakhbir Singh Rode and KZF chief Ranjit Singh Neeta in Pakistan. These leaders propagate Khalistani ideologies to the Sikhs residing abroad. The ISI also uses them to spread anti-India and pro-Khalistan views to Indian Sikh jathas (group of pilgrims) whenever they visit Pakistan.
At present due to close family relationship between Sikhs and Hindus, Sikhs understand that Khalistan is not practicable. However, the ISI persistently sends its agents to Punjab in order to instigate Sikhs.
The ISI has also smuggled drugs in Punjab and at present youth have become drug-addicts. The ISI uses them as support agents to spread hatred towards Hindus. As there is no ideological basis for Khalistan, the ISI circulates news about perceived atrocities and statements of anti-establishment political leaders who denounce Indian system with ulterior motives.
Analysts also claim that the economy of Pakistan is ruined and it is in on verge of loan default. Prime Minister Imran Khan returned empty handed from China. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has put stringent conditions to grant loan and, hence, the Pakistan Government is raising the Khalistan issue to sidetrack the attention of poor and illiterate masses.
India must safeguard its interests. The analysts claim that not only ISI but several intelligence agencies support various terrorist outfits. Hence, Indian security forces must analyse the reason why European countries, Canada and the US never help Indian security agencies against Khalistani elements.
Pro-Khalistan Sikhs should be blacklisted and they should not be allowed to enter India. At present, the Khalistan movement is dormant in India but it is not dead and it can revive with foreign assistance. A vast majority of Sikhs are aware of the futility of the movement but a few disenchanted members of the community may be tempted to play with fire for their selfish interests.
Sikhs settled abroad may also render ideological and financial assistance to the perceived discrimination and atrocities. Hence, Central as well as State Government should try to sort out simmering issues, including punishment to the executioners of 1984 anti-Sikh riots, Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal issue, among others. The separatists’ allegation that Hindus want to submerge Sikh religion must be countered.
In view of the above, Indian policy planners must be careful and chalk out a comprehensive plan under which the genuine problems of Punjab will be redressed. On the other hand, anti-national elements must be dealt with stringently and those who raise pro-Khalistan slogans should be put behind bars. The Government and the nationalist elements should also formulate a plan to counter the misinformation campaign launched by Khalistan supporters in India as well as abroad.
(The writer is a member of United Services Institute of India and Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis. Views expressed are personal)
