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The
Burning Train singes Punjabis the most
For the world at large, it is an act of terrorism. For the Indian
establishment, it is a move sabotaga peace process it is trying to
conclude with an inimical country. For Pakistan, it is a message from
certain forces opposed to President Pervez Musharraf's joining of
the US-led global fight against terror and his act of ditching many
causes, several of them of questionable validity.
But what does it mean for Punjab, and particularly for the Sikhs?
Any peace initiative between Islamabad and New Delhi triggers the
hope of opening of Wagah and Husseiniwala borders for trade and
increased movement of citizens of both countries. Any expressions of
mutual bonhomie between the two countries lead to discussions about
the possibility of opening of the visa restrictions for
visiting Nankana Sahib,Panja Sahib and many other gurdwaras across
the line that Radcliffe drew.
In any skirmish between the two countries, Punjabis are doomed to
suffer on either side of this damned line.Sikhs on this side and
Muslims on the other with similar surnames, Bhullars, Bhattis, Gills,
Virks have borne the brunt of wars. Punjabis, irrespective of their
religion, sing the same songs,enjoy the same saag, and have many a
shared sagas of history and myths.
Hindus see Lahore as the city of Luv and Kush. Sikhs see Nankana
Sahib as a city for which they pine away in their hearts.
So the peace process, devoid of the partisan politics which is
interwoven with any international
peace making, has prised open a window of opportunity. But even
before the first rays could creep in, someone has rushed to sabotage
the moves.
The right wing Hindutva will jump at the opportunity to target
Pakistan once more,just as the ultra-right man in Pakistan will
blame India.
Vested interests are everywhere. India's army, police and
intelligence have bloated budgets and the perception of Pakistan as
a sworn enemy feeds these budgets every year. Their counterparts in
Pakistan, with a worse record of democracy, have similar
concerns. The Mumbai-Karachi sea route trade lobby stands to lose
hundreds of millions if the Wagah land route opens up. So whom
should we suspect?
The suspects clearly could be many, but the prime victims are
obviously Punjabis. The attack on Samjhauta Express, and the
targeting of civilians, has an aim very clear, and itneeds no
elaboration. What is important is that we should be clear in our
response: The Samjhauta Express should chug on, faster and bolder.
The bus must not stop for even a day, or we would have missed the
bus for a shared subcontinental destiny.
21 February 2007
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