In reponse to Pradhanmantri : Episode 14: Operation Blue Star and the assassination of Indra Gandhi
Dear Mr Kapur,
I had been a great admirer of your art and you as a person. The work you have done in cinema is exception and brought me great proud as an Indian. I have always felt an emotional bonding with you as you have a connection with Punjab.
I feel very sad the way Pradhanmantri portrayed Operation Blue Star. It was biased, not researched at all, and did not bring views from both sides. The media reporters you had on the show took one side and they are known for the views against Sant Jarnail Singh and Sikhs at large. You did not show a single person to present view from perspective of Sant or Sikhs who support him.
The job of media is to present the events as they happened without being a judge; and let the viewers decide. But sadly the clear tone of your narrative was like a judge who has already decided the guilty before the start of trial.
You stated that events leading to Op Blue Start started after Indra forced emergency. This is not true. In reality is goes back to 1947, the partition of India. Sikhs decided to be part of Hindu India as they had and continue to have strong bonding with Hindus. They were promised that they would be able to practice their faith freely and with respect. But soon after 1947 all these promises were forgotten.
Sikhs were declared criminal tribe on 10 October 1947 by Governor of Punjab Chandu Lal Trevedi (Reference Saachi Saakhi by Sardar Kapur Singh). Hindi media and organizations started movement against Punjab and Punjabi. Sikh leaders felt that existence of Punjabi (and region Punjab in large) is in danger so they demanded a state for a punjabi speaking population; they were labeled separatists and Sikhs were the only one fighting for this cause. Sikhs felt betrayed and let down in their own country. They were and are treated as second class citizens of India.
Even today sikhs are fighting for justice in India courts (Chandigarh, river water, November 1984 genocide, killing of hundred thousands of sikhs youths in Punjab, sikh youths still is jails). Indian constitutions says sikhs are part of Hinduism.
Sikhs had been demanding their rights peacefully. But for many Sikh youths their patience wore off when center and state started using violent methods. You mentioned fight between Nirankari followers and sikhs in 1978 in Amritsar. You are wrong. Sikhs were protesting peacefully, and followers of Nirankari were armed and they opened fire on Sikhs.
When police started killing and harassing innocents and raping women, many youths felt enough is enough. Police won’t help them, courts won’t give them justice, what could they do?
When all modes of redressing a wrong having failed. Raising of sword is pious and just (Zafarnama).
They were forced to defend themselves using guerrilla warfare. They did not come from Jupiter. They were ordinary youths who wanted to study, work, have a family like most of us, but with dignity and respect.
Your whole show was flawed and biased. You say it is portray of truth, but I disagree. It's how you see Operation Blue Star, but its not the truth.
Its a shame that Sikhs who fought invaders from Afghanistan to rescue Hindu women, who made most sacrifices for freedom of India, who still are fight at Indian borders for safety of India have been labelled terrorists and separatist by media and a section of Indian society.
For most people Sardar Ji means a joke, 12 baj gaye. Do you know Mr Kapur the historically facts behind 12 pm and Sikhs?
I remember one of my Hindu friend telling me that I look like a terrorist; and being bullied just because I am a sikh and I follow my faith.
I do not have any expectations for Indian media, but I had a faith in you Mr Kapur. I don’t know why, but I had felt that person of your intellect would understand the pain and suffering of minorities in new India.
“Nanak naam chardi kala tere bhane sarbat da bhala”
“Nanak asks for ‘Naam’ (name of God) with which comes well being, happiness and positive spirit and with your blessings, Lord may everyone in the world prosper and be in peace”
