The new Union home minister, Mr PV Narasimha Rao, is wholly justified in drawing attention to the failure of the Akali Dal and the SGPC to preserve the sanctity of the Golden Temple in Amritsar and prevent its conversion into the headquarters, arsenal and sanctuary of terrorists and criminals headed … Read More
As was only to be expected, the white paper on Punjab has come in for a great deal of criticism at the hands of opposition parties. As we wrote in our editorial entitled “Heart Of The Matter” (July 11|12), the document is “remarkably unforthcoming” on a variety of issues. So … Read More
Most of us in India use words rather carelessly or imitatively. So it is possible that the use of the concept of “sub-nationalism” in relation to the Sikh community which has begun to surface in the writings of some individuals in the columns of some newspapers belongs to this category. … Read More
All Indians have heaved a sigh of relief over the relatively quick release of passengers, crew and the hijacked Airbus at Lahore airport. The agony could have lasted much longer as it often has in such cases. And all Indians will heartily endorse a vote of thanks for President Zia-ul-Haq, … Read More
The Bombay police have arrested some well-known individuals on the charge of supplying incendiary articles for use in recent communal riots in the city. It is not for us to say whether the evidence in the possession of the authorities can stand scrutiny in a court of law, if and … Read More
Even at the risk of further misunderstanding, it must be said that the response of most articulate and educated Sikhs to recent developments in Punjab has been disappointing and that this has made it difficult for the rest of us to maintain a sensible dialogue with them. It is understandable … Read More
So the country has been confronted with another crisis in another border state even as the one in Punjab continues to cause the gravest anxiety and engage a substantial part of the army. And as in the case of Punjab, the argument will once again centre on Mrs Gandhi’s culpability … Read More
It is hardly necessary to say that the government had no choice but to arrest the acting presidents of the SGPC and the Akali Dal. Indeed, it might have to detain many more second-rank Akali leaders and SGPC functionaries (the big mischief makers are already in jail) if it is … Read More
It is not at all clear why President Mitterrand should have undertaken the trip to Moscow at this stage. It is, of course, true that the Soviets had been pressing the invitation on him ever since he came to office three years ago. But that only raises the question as … Read More
It is unfortunate that a discussion should have arisen at all on how long the army will stay on in and around the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar. For the answer is only too obvious. It will stay on so long as its presence is required there. It has taken … Read More
