It seems that the AAP is adamant on compromising national security by pandering to Khalistani elements in Punjab. The party’s leadership in the state has been openly supporting the secessionist elements in a hideous attempt to grab political power in Punjab. This time around AAP member of parliament from Patiala, Dharamvir Gandhi in Punjab came out in support of the Khalistan referendum. In an objectionable statement inciting susceptible elements, he stated that people have the democratic and legal right to demand a separate homeland.
The Khalistan referendum is a seditious campaign controlled by extremist Sikh elements in the United States and Canada. These secessionist elements profess that they seek to “liberate” Punjab and Sikhs from India and create a separate nation of Khalistan. It has come to light that the campaign has been taking the support of Pakistan’s intelligence agency-cum terror outfit, ISI.
Gandhi went a step further and defended sedition in the name of freedom of speech. He somehow connected the secessionist campaign with federalism and democracy and stated, “I believe in federalism and democracy. I have nothing to do with Khalistan”. Not only this, he even misquoted the apex court and said, “the Supreme Court has guaranteed that a peaceful demand for a separate homeland on the basis of linguistics, religion, region or race is legal”. He seems to be deliberately confusing the legitimate demand for a separate province with sedition. The AAP legislator also tried abetting anti-national sentiment and openly promoted demands for a separate Sikh homeland. He tried giving the impression that there is nothing wrong with demanding Khalistan and that those involved in such activities must not be charged with sedition.
In a clear attempt at provoking the secessionist elements in the state, the firebrand AAP legislator added that Punjab was being forced to share natural resources such as water and hydroelectric projects with non-riparian states was ‘gross injustice’. He also tried highlighting alleged discrimination with Punjab during the transfer of Chandigarh and opined that these will remain emotive issues for the state unless justice is done.
Contrary to the claim made by AAP’s pro-separatism legislator, Punjab is seen as one of the most prosperous states in India and there has been no discrimination as far as Punjab is concerned. Similarly, there is no question of the Sikhs being mistreated in India leading to demands for a separate Sikh nation. In fact, Sikhs are the second richest Indian community in India next only to the Jains. This rules out all possibilities of the Sikhs having been discriminated against. In fact, they have been major beneficiaries of national growth and development. Dharamvir Gandhi’s statements, are therefore, a gross misrepresentation and a deceitful attempt at legitimising the Khalistan demand.
However, this is not for the first time that the AAP-Khalistan nexus has come to light. Of late, the Delhi based party’s leadership in Punjab has been acting more like a secessionist outfit than a political party. In its election rallies in the state, the AAP was frequently sporting the portrait of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. There can be no bigger manifestation of an attempt to fan the feelings of separatism in Punjab. The AAP has been enjoying the vocal support of Khalistani organisations and has been guilty of even fielding Khalistani sympathising candidates in the past. More recently, AAP legislator and the leader of opposition in the Punjab assembly also lent open support to the Khalistan referendum.
It is clear that the AAP is struggling for political power and is therefore playing with fire in order to destabilise Punjab and make political gains in the state. The AAP has been systematically trying to create an atmosphere congenial to secessionism in the province. Kejriwal’s overnight stay at a Khalistani’s house, campaigning and electoral funding for the party by banned terror organisations and now the statements by party’s local leadership hints is an obvious attempt to reignite the horrific days of disturbance in Punjab.