Questions about Khalistan

[ronki23]

I have a few questions about the Khalistan movement:

1. Before the British there used to be a Sikh Empire in India so Sikhs were historically in charge of their own country

2. Sikhs say Mahatma Gandhi promised them an independent country just like the Muslims were given Pakistan but Nehru backtracked on the agreement

3. Jinnah promised Sikhs many rights in Pakistan but Master Tara Singh rejected the offer in favour of India. Why?

4. The argument is that Sikhs were a minority in Punjab. But if there were more Muslims than Hindus in Punjab doesn't that mean Hindus were too a minority? Like we saw with India and Pakistan, the populations would be exchanged whether it be 2 countries or 3 anyway

5. Khalistan would be landlocked. But Switzerland and Lichtenstein are lanlocked too and their people are among the richest in the world.

6. Is this true?:

The British leaders had asked Sardar Baldev Singh to stay behind because the wanted to propose to him that if Sikhs were not ready to enter into the agreement with Muslims, then the Sikhs could be given an independent state which extended from Panipat to Nanakana Sahib with extended excess up-to the seashore. The Britishers were ready to station 25,000 British troops and war equipment for ten years and provide help in the administration provided the Sikhs agreed to provide 50,000 soldiers be stationed at Singapore and other colonies to help the Britishers for the next ten years. After ten years the agreement could be reconsidered. Through this agreement the administration and defense of independent Sikhland would have been ensured and there would have been no need to enter into an agreement with either India or Pakistan for the purposes of their administration and defense. Even Muslim League had agreed this proposal because it would give then strong buffer state between Pakistan and India. It was also in the interest British empire as they would still have their feet in this sub-continent. But was unfortunate that there was no leader among the Sikhs with political vision foresight who could see the benefits such an arrangement and demand independent Homeland for the Sikhs.

7. The argument is that Khalistan could become like Islamic State or Afghanistan under the Taliban. But unlike with those particular examples, Sikhs preach equality for ALL. So how would it run?

 

[ronki23]

@Spirit_Warrior @sayak83 @Aupmanyav @Vinayaka @Kirran @GURSIKH @Satnaam

 

[sayak83]

I have no idea apart from the fact that 1970-1980 was a period of complete mismanagement and arbitrary autocracy by the Congress that led to multiple separation movements all over the place which are slowly being addressed. The punjab separatist movement has been addressed. So has the separatist movement in Bengal. Things are nearly normal in Assam. The North East and Maoist movements still remain a problem (though less so) while JK is continuing. At the end of the day if people have a voice, are not discriminated against and are part of economic growth, they remain committed to the state, otherwise not.

Oh, FYI, there is no khalistan movement currently.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Carry on with Khalistan. As far a we (Indians, Hindus) are concerned, we have solved it.

 

[ronki23]

I have no idea apart from the fact that 1970-1980 was a period of complete mismanagement and arbitrary autocracy by the Congress that led to multiple separation movements all over the place which are slowly being addressed. The punjab separatist movement has been addressed. So has the separatist movement in Bengal. Things are nearly normal in Assam. The North East and Maoist movements still remain a problem (though less so) while JK is continuing. At the end of the day if people have a voice, are not discriminated against and are part of economic growth, they remain committed to the state, otherwise not.

Oh, FYI, there is no khalistan movement currently.

In UK, Canada and to a lesser extent USA and Australia we have Khalistani rallies and movements. Even Shiromani Akali Dal Amritsar wants Khalistani by peaceful means.

Even if Khalistani movement isn't big, majority of Sikhs still protest 1984 and want justice for the victims. In India I saw a taxi with a Bhindranwale picture and in Harmandir Sahib museum they have his picture

 

[sayak83]

In UK, Canada and to a lesser extent USA and Australia we have Khalistani rallies and movements. Even Shiromani Akali Dal Amritsar wants Khalistani by peaceful means.

Even if Khalistani movement isn't big, majority of Sikhs still protest 1984 and want justice for the victims. In India I saw a taxi with a Bhindranwale picture and in Harmandir Sahib museum they have his picture

Well, the problem of delivering justice through courts have always been horrible in India and really needs urgent attention. In that you are correct. In other ways, Sikh support for a separate state is almost nonexistent now within India, but some Sikh groups outside who fled during the worst of violence and counter repression still remain disgruntled precisely because of their past.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Delay in justice in India is proverbial. On 28th of April, 2017 (after 15 years):

"The Bombay high court upheld on Thursday life sentences for 11 men for gangraping Bilkis Bano during the 2002 anti-Muslim violence and convicted seven people for tampering evidence in one of India’s most high-profile riot cases."
Bilkis Bano gangrape case: Bombay HC upholds conviction of 11 convicts

The story is yet not complete. Though the people sentenced will be in jail, they can (and probably will) appeal in the Supreme Court. The final decision will take some more time.

Similar is the case of Sikh riot cases. Though the affected people got monetary compensation; during the Congress regime, evidence was tempered (particularly in case of two Congress politicians). Supreme Court in its wisdom has opened the cases again.

 

[ronki23]

What is this so-called 2020 Punjab referendum? Is it regarding Khalistan independence? I've never heard of it in the media

 

[Aupmanyav]

Answer here: https://www.quora.com/in/What-will-happen-if-Sikhs-win-the-2020-referendum

 

[ronki23]

I only recently found out that the 1986 Sarbat Khalsa demanded Khalistan

 

[Aupmanyav]

Declared, established. Good for them. But keep it outside India. If they come here, they would have the answer.