The Hindu Editorial Vocabulary– May 10, 2022; Day 285

Alarm bells: On symbols of Sikh separatism

Sikh separatism is now feeble (Pathetically lacking in effectiveness), but vigilance (The process of paying close and continuous attention) is essential

Symbols of Sikh separatism that appeared at the Himachal Pradesh Assembly complex in Dharamshala on Sunday suggest that forces promoting it are active and capable of mischief. Purported (Have the often specious appearance of being, intending, or claiming) flags of imaginary Khalistan were put up on the gate of the complex, and slogans scrawled (Write carelessly) on the walls. The State police chief has set up a special investigation team and ordered heightened vigil at the borders. On the same day, the police in Punjab said they had averted (Prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening) a terror attack after arresting two men, said to be Khalistani sympathisers (a person who agrees with and supports an idea or aim), with explosives in Tarn Taran district. A U.S.-based Khalistani separatist has been charged in Himachal Pradesh under the UAPA and the Indian Penal Code. Opposition parties in the State, the Congress and AAP, have used the incident to make a case against the ruling BJP, months ahead of the Assembly election. Comparable rhetoric (High-flown style; excessive use of verbal ornamentation) had shadowed the recent election in Punjab, where political opponents accused one another of being sympathetic to separatists. That was avoidable loose talk on a sensitive topic. Sikh separatism, and the accompanying terrorism supported by Pakistan, was snuffed out (Put an end to) by the Indian state decades ago, but at a huge human and political cost. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated (Murder; especially of socially prominent persons) and the sectarian (of or pertaining to a subdivision of a larger religious group) violence against the Sikh community that followed in different places deepened the fault lines. Those wounds continue to fester (to become or cause to become bitter, irritated, etc, esp over a long period of time; rankle), and care must be taken by the state, political actors and community leaders to ensure that history does not repeat itself as yet another tragedy.

A separatist plan to hold a referendum (A popular vote by the electorate whether to approve a specific legislative act) on Khalistan in Himachal Pradesh is laughable, but vigilance is essential. The groups that call for Khalistan are based abroad, and command little respect in the Sikh mainstream at the moment. They campaign among the Sikh diaspora (any scattering of people with a common origin, background, beliefs, etc.), alleging mistreatment of the community by the Indian state. They have a favourable environment though. Domestic divisions in India, exacerbated (Make worse) by the politics and policy of the ruling BJP, are echoing (To say again) among the diaspora in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Australia. Religious minorities and Dalits have been disconnected from the diaspora mobilisation (Organized for a purpose) of the Indian government. Hindutva affiliates helm (lead) Indian diaspora politics. This provides an opening for India’s enemies to inflame (Arouse or excite feelings and passions) passions. Fortunately for India, there are not many takers for such propaganda among the Sikh community. But thoughtless comments and campaigns against the community, particularly when they are led by powerful political actors, can trigger serious reactions. In its desperation to delegitimise (Make unacceptable, less legitimate or illegal) the farm agitation, the BJP tacitly (by unexpressed agreement) supported campaigns that portrayed Sikh protestors as anti-nationals inspired by foreign countries. Though isolated and feeble, Sikh separatism continues to flicker (feel that emotion only for a very short time, and not very strongly). It must serve as a constant reminder for social cohesion (tendency to unite) and impartial state policy.

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