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It was 1994 Sikh terrorism in Punjab ends and what followed was 20 years of peace where no body mentioned Khalistan. Life was back to normal though there was corruption that affected economics of Punjab but not a single mention of Sikh radicalism. The same was true all over the world. For a moment it seems the Sikhs have moved on, even inside India there were 3 Sikh army chiefs and one Air chief Marshal. It seems everything was back to normal as if nothing ever happened. Move forward to 2014, BJP coming to power in Delhi. Wave of polarizations started in the name of controversial laws such as Indian Citizenship act or CAA leading to protests in Delhi followed by Delhi riots. In many other places in Hindi heartland Muslims have been singled out or poked be it in name of cow vigilante or CAA or any other thing. This was rampant in Bengal as well as Karnataka elections where direct fight was with Muslims. Same is being tried in Kerala and Manipur where BJPs direct fight is against Christian Minority.
Now come to Punjab a state that has been peaceful for last 20 years till 2014. First came the farm laws where peaceful protests by the Punjab farmers was framed as radical sponsored and taking away of farm laws hurt Modi or BJPs ego. What has followed is the systematic destruction of Sikh goodwill and framing them as villians by media and government. There was a sudden rise and fall (approx. 6 months) of Sikh radical Amritpal Singh in Punjab who with his friends have been suspiciously jailed in Assam (One wonders why Assam, why not Tihar jail or any other more secured places). Now Canada-India relations have been at forefront. Suddenly the Sikh politics and Khalistan movement are at forefront. An issue that has been dormant for nearly 25 years has been again raked up. Media is playing into government hands and impression is being created that Sikhs are turning radical and there has been wave of efflux of Sikhs from India in last few years. Sense of insecurity has creeped in Punjab.
Question must be asked if all these incidences are coincidental, or some larger force/game is in play. May be all these things are a step towards fulfilling a HINDU Rashtra dream of RSS or BJP. Time will tell! We pray for the unity and secularism of the country.
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