It is now more than ever, a need for the global Panjaabi-Sikh Commonwealth to take a grip of itself, internally and externally, sensibly and intelligently look to reconstruct its affairs away from the debilitating chaos and disorder that has been allowed to overcome our institutions, organisations, purported dubious ‘Panthic’ and Panjaab leadership, argues Sikh activist-writer, Jagdeesh Singh.

THE AMRITSAR MASSACRE OF 1984 OUTSHADOWED THE AMRITSAR MASSACRE OF 1919. From 1919 to 1978 to 1984, Amritsar has been a city of courageous resistance. It is a monument of Sikhi and the soul of Panjaab!

During the 1984 to 2020 period, we have seen so much come and go. So many exciting moments in the laborious struggle. So many moments of courageous sacrifice. So many moments of hope. So many changing faces, purported ‘leaders’ projected onto us, organisations, etc. The hard fact remains, we have today achieved little political progress at an electoral level. Nor at a human rights justice level.

Undoubtedly, a cross-section of the leadership has been able to keep the flag aloft. Despite odds, they have stood up to the illegal, unlawful, inhumane policies of the Indian government from time to time.

We have seen very little in terms of a coordinated, coherent leadership-driven strategy to transform and escalate the movement to new levels and heights – electorally, international media presence and engagement with the United Nations.

Many regional and Indian state elections have come and gone, in which ‘Panthic’ candidates have proven to be extremely unpopular and defective. Why?! ‘Panthic’ figures and groups have failed to come together into a long-term civil mass movement, duplicating the pre-June 1984 Dharam Yudh Morcha.

We have seen very little in terms of a coordinated, coherent leadership-driven strategy to transform and escalate the movement to new levels and heights – electorally, international media presence and engagement with the United Nations.

Despite frantic calls, a united Panjaab National Coalition of all Panjaab-centric and Panthic groups has not materialised. In agonising disarray and vacuum, there is no strategy inside Panjaab or outside internationally, to progress the critical cause of Panjaab.

It is not a lack of peoples’ will but a lack of authentic leaders, because of which there is confusion, stagnation and even abandonment as was seen in the unexplained closure of the Bargari Morcha in 2018.

It raises poignant questions about who is deciding our agenda. Who is posing as our leaders? Who is actually committed and capable? Who is misleading and deceiving in the name of ‘panthic’ rhetoric? Who is actually delivering in terms of tangible progress and gains? Who is simply making a political and monetary fortune out of the sorry saga of Panjaab?

Unless there is a fresh, sincere, courageous and intelligent leadership for Panjaab to break us out of the straight-jacket of India politics and stagnation, Panjaab is doomed to continue on the miserable treadmill that it has been since 1947!

Unless there is a fresh, sincere, courageous and intelligent leadership for Panjaab to break us out of the straight-jacket of India politics and stagnation, Panjaab is doomed to continue on the miserable treadmill that it has been since 1947!

The Panjaabi soul aches and screams for democracy, human rights and self-determination for Panjaab being free to determine its destiny. Will circumstances permit for such a qualitative leadership to emerge?