Radio Pakistan nostalgic about Khalistan movement

Abohar, Aug.6 (ANI): The Punjabi Durbar programme of Radio Pakistan is still nostalgic about the 'Khalistan' which had many followers in the early eighties.

The assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and the operations in the Golden Temple are looked on by them as highlights of the 'Khalistan movement'.

People of Punjab have realised Pakistan's role in promoting dissentions among the Sikhs and Hindus in Punjab. Elements in Pakistan played an active ole provoking people of Punjab in the early eighties.

"While Pakistan professes sympathy for Sikhs on one side, the Sikhs are being ill-treated in Pakistan. Jazia tax is imposed on the Sikhs. Many organizations in Abohar are collecting funds to make it possible for the Sikhs to pay Jazia. Pakistan radio and newspapers should first look at the condition of Sikhs in their country," said Gurvinder Singh, General Secretary of Shri Guru Nanak Sewak Dal Simran Society.

"Dr. Manmohan Singh is the Prime Minister of India for past five years. Surjeet Singh Barnala is the Governor of Tamil Nadu and Montek Singh Ahluwalia is the Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission. We should tell Pakistan that we can resolve issues here in our country. The Central Government is like a guardian for all the States in the country. People can ask for their rights from the Central Government," Gurinder Singh added.

Radio Pakistan's broadcasters are unaware that India already has a State dominated by Sikhs and Sikhs elsewhere are honoured citizens and the Punjabi culture is held in high respect.

The Punjabi culture is prevalent across the country, especially the north India where there are millions of Punjabi-speaking people. Be it any profession, Sikhs or Punjabi-speaking people can be everywhere. Their festivals like-Baisakhi, Lohri or Gurunanak Jayanti-are participated by people of other religions with great enthusiasm.

Pakistan Radio seems to be unaware that Indian Prime Minister is a Sikh, the deputy chairman of planning also happens to be a Sikh. Sardar Gyani Zailsingh was the President of India and General J.J.Singh, the Army chief. In fact Sikhs have occupied prime posts in the country.

It seems difficult to believe that Radio Pakistan is unaware about Sikhs facing a hard time in Pakistan's Swat Valley. Looking at the plight of Sikhs in Pakistan, one may ask whether the demand for a separate State for the Sikhs should be made in India or Pakistan! (ANI)