Mahal Singh Babbar’s death was not the loss of a leader, but the ignominious and unsung end of a fugitive militant sheltered by a hostile state and long complicit in cross-border terror.
How could you paint him joining Khalistan as treachery? Isn’t India the one that betrayed Sikhs by launching operation blue star, operation Woodrose, anti Sikh pogroms and ultimately pursuing a 10 year long genocide against the Sikhs? Isn’t it reasonable for any Sikh at that time to then join the Khalistan movement for independence? How could you justify loyalty to India when they had burned and looted multiple Sikh artifacts across Punjab and inflicted casualties in the tens of thousands in the span of a few months against its populous?
Perhaps sitting outside of India, you’re entitled to your opinion, and thanks for responding.
However, the Constitution of India provides ample legal remedies to its citizens—including Sikhs—to carry on their battle for justice, dignity, and rights. Tens of millions continue to do so, as proud citizens of India, whether residing in Punjab, elsewhere in India, or across the globe.
India’s democracy, despite its imperfections and painful chapters in history, is not static. It evolves. The tragedy of 1984 and the injustices that followed cannot and should not be forgotten. But to remain mired in bitterness is to deny ourselves the possibility of change and progress. Many Sikh voices—courageous, principled, and rooted in the Guru’s vision of justice—have led from within the system and won substantial battles for truth and reconciliation.
Painting an entire nation as having betrayed Sikhs undermines the efforts of those within the community who never gave up on reclaiming their rightful space in India’s mainstream. We must remember that the same soil that saw unspeakable violence has also nurtured resilience, rebuilding, and resurgence. Sikh farmers, professionals, scholars, soldiers, and entrepreneurs continue to thrive and contribute significantly to India’s fabric.
Come and be a part of the success story here, rather than holding on to a myopic—and at times, misinformed if not uninformed—view that limits our potential as a community. Our Gurus taught us to lead, not to isolate. Let us walk that path, with vision and courage.
Thank you for taking the time to reply. Based on your most recent reply. I do have more questions.
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Why has this legal system and the constitution failed so many Sikhs including people I’ve known within my life? Why have commissions that looked into the Delhi massacre largely failed? Why have large body efforts by Sikh organizations, including the Akhal Takt failed in legal battles against alleged perpetrators or to seek systematic justice? Yes some legal battles have resulted in successful convictions. But nowhere near the satisfactory amount. The vast majority of killers got away without punishment and sometimes with government protection too. Why has the legal system failed so badly in India to safe guard the Sikhs and to provide justice? Jagdish Tytler has admitted to killing Sikhs on video. Yet he walks free today? How is that possible?
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Can you even name one large body legal effort by Sikhs or a commission that has been successful in persecuting those responsible? Can you give me an example on where India evolved past the 80’s in terms of legal, societal or policy change where India has grown for the better?
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I can see your justification for not blaming the entirety of the Indian government now. I’m aware that in some specific circumstances even during the commissions their was genuine effort my small actors. But if the entire system was good or even decent would it not have delivered more successful results?
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Also wasn’t this put aside your grievances for the greater good rhetoric literally something British Raj pushed in British India? Under the Imperial Citizen model? What makes your rhetoric any different from that of the British?
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Our Gurus also taught us to seek justice without end. Not to turn a blind eye. Guru Nanak stood up against Babur. He did not bend the knee at any point and tell the Hindus to forget about what has happened because now is a different time. Nor did he join the Mughals and say let’s change the system from within.
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I do agree that in this day of misinformation I could have been misguided and fed false or one sided information. However when comparing Sikh nationalist stances with those of India. When doing my personal investigations where I try to be as impartial and open minded as possible. I’ve often found that the evidence trail often leads to the claims of Sikh nationalists to be true and rarely that of India.
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Especially in the context of 1980’s. Many of the victims are still alive. However I can respect your perspective as why you remain loyal to India today. I too believe in a secular and democratic India. But I asked what reason could you use to justify loyalty to India in the 80’s? How do you support the notion that fighting India in the 80’s was “traitorous”?
How could you paint him joining Khalistan as treachery? Isn’t India the one that betrayed Sikhs by launching operation blue star, operation Woodrose, anti Sikh pogroms and ultimately pursuing a 10 year long genocide against the Sikhs? Isn’t it reasonable for any Sikh at that time to then join the Khalistan movement for independence? How could you justify loyalty to India when they had burned and looted multiple Sikh artifacts across Punjab and inflicted casualties in the tens of thousands in the span of a few months against its populous?
Perhaps sitting outside of India, you’re entitled to your opinion, and thanks for responding.
However, the Constitution of India provides ample legal remedies to its citizens—including Sikhs—to carry on their battle for justice, dignity, and rights. Tens of millions continue to do so, as proud citizens of India, whether residing in Punjab, elsewhere in India, or across the globe.
India’s democracy, despite its imperfections and painful chapters in history, is not static. It evolves. The tragedy of 1984 and the injustices that followed cannot and should not be forgotten. But to remain mired in bitterness is to deny ourselves the possibility of change and progress. Many Sikh voices—courageous, principled, and rooted in the Guru’s vision of justice—have led from within the system and won substantial battles for truth and reconciliation.
Painting an entire nation as having betrayed Sikhs undermines the efforts of those within the community who never gave up on reclaiming their rightful space in India’s mainstream. We must remember that the same soil that saw unspeakable violence has also nurtured resilience, rebuilding, and resurgence. Sikh farmers, professionals, scholars, soldiers, and entrepreneurs continue to thrive and contribute significantly to India’s fabric.
Come and be a part of the success story here, rather than holding on to a myopic—and at times, misinformed if not uninformed—view that limits our potential as a community. Our Gurus taught us to lead, not to isolate. Let us walk that path, with vision and courage.
Thank you for taking the time to reply. Based on your most recent reply. I do have more questions.
-
Why has this legal system and the constitution failed so many Sikhs including people I’ve known within my life? Why have commissions that looked into the Delhi massacre largely failed? Why have large body efforts by Sikh organizations, including the Akhal Takt failed in legal battles against alleged perpetrators or to seek systematic justice? Yes some legal battles have resulted in successful convictions. But nowhere near the satisfactory amount. The vast majority of killers got away without punishment and sometimes with government protection too. Why has the legal system failed so badly in India to safe guard the Sikhs and to provide justice? Jagdish Tytler has admitted to killing Sikhs on video. Yet he walks free today? How is that possible?
-
Can you even name one large body legal effort by Sikhs or a commission that has been successful in persecuting those responsible? Can you give me an example on where India evolved past the 80’s in terms of legal, societal or policy change where India has grown for the better?
-
I can see your justification for not blaming the entirety of the Indian government now. I’m aware that in some specific circumstances even during the commissions their was genuine effort my small actors. But if the entire system was good or even decent would it not have delivered more successful results?
-
Also wasn’t this put aside your grievances for the greater good rhetoric literally something British Raj pushed in British India? Under the Imperial Citizen model? What makes your rhetoric any different from that of the British?
-
Our Gurus also taught us to seek justice without end. Not to turn a blind eye. Guru Nanak stood up against Babur. He did not bend the knee at any point and tell the Hindus to forget about what has happened because now is a different time. Nor did he join the Mughals and say let’s change the system from within.
-
I do agree that in this day of misinformation I could have been misguided and fed false or one sided information. However when comparing Sikh nationalist stances with those of India. When doing my personal investigations where I try to be as impartial and open minded as possible. I’ve often found that the evidence trail often leads to the claims of Sikh nationalists to be true and rarely that of India.
-
Especially in the context of 1980’s. Many of the victims are still alive. However I can respect your perspective as why you remain loyal to India today. I too believe in a secular and democratic India. But I asked what reason could you use to justify loyalty to India in the 80’s? How do you support the notion that fighting India in the 80’s was “traitorous”?