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Editorial
Revisiting 1984
In
less than a week from now, the Sikh nation will suddenly remember
the victims of November 1984 anti-Sikh carnage. Just a week back,
the whole nation was in a mood of festivity and little time or
thought was spared to ponder how the lives of a nearly ten thousand
of their brethren were lost twenty-five years ago in a
state-sponsored pogrom and which shattered the home and hearth of
nearly a hundred thousand Sikhs across nearly a hundred towns and
cities of India.
A
concerned section of the community has already organized documentary
and film shows and meetings in the United States and Canada. Plans
are afoot to organize exhibitions, demonstrations and seminars.
Books are also to be released. A medical camp will also be held in
the heart of Sultanpuri –one of the worst hit blocks of
Delhi.
A justice march is to be organized in
Washington.
Though the big tree is no more, new saplings are being planted,
virtually mocking at the perpetrators. Sikh websites have done a
yeoman’s job in stirring the memories of the victims and of the
nation. Still, somehow the pain and anguish of those killed has not
entered the consciousness of the Sikh people.
Should we be in mourning? Should we take the hint from Dr. Manmohan
Singh, the first prime minister of India with the Sikh face and
pursue a policy of forget and forgive? Even after twenty-five years,
there is no permanent body of the Sikhs, save the diligence of H. S.
Phoolka, which is working full time to look into the entire gamut of
issues connected with the devastation, destruction and loss of lives
that was witnessed in the three days that shook Delhi, but failed to
bestir the conscience of the country.
World Sikh News will join the Sikh world in paying homage to the
victims of the unprecedented massacre with a special issue next
week.
www.worldsikhnews.com with its section on 1984 has
continuously focused on this year which marks a watershed in the
Indo-Sikh relationship. World Sikh News will present first hand
reports, new books, interviews and an analysis of the role of the
Indian leadership which was then at the helm of affairs and has
escaped blame for their overall role in masterminding, execution and
provision of impunity to the state and non-state perpetrators.
In
his Diwali-eve address to the Sikh nation from the portals of the
highest temporal seat of the Sikhs –Akal Takht Sahib, the Jathedar
of Akal Takht Sahib, among other things, made two significant
observations which the Indian press failed to report. He sought the
annulment of death penalty and urged the Sikh community to work for
the safety and welfare of the victims of November 1984.
Though on the same day, the authority of the Jathedar was
drastically eroded by their unnecessary and uncalled for
intervention in the case of the Nanakshahi Calendar, the SGPC, DSGMC
and the community at large must work in these two areas with their
soul and heart into it. For already, social scientists have begun
to question the negligence of the community in providing long term
succour, guidance, care and counseling to the affected families.
Let us all shed a tear. Let us all light a candle. Let us revisit
the areas of the massacres. Let us learn from the Jews to chase
perpetrators irrespective of the time lapse. Let us write more books
and novels in various languages. Let us establish our case, that the
1984 pogrom was meticulously conceived, designed and faultlessly
executed.
History is not on our side. The country is certainly not on our
side. We only have memories and by sharing it, we may reduce our
pain and may be ensure that such carnage is not repeated, if it is
atleast are ready and prepared to face it.
India has not changed despite 1984. Sikhs have to ensure that they
have.
21
October 2009
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