Sant Longowal has publicly returned to the old Akali theme that the Sikhs are a qaum. This statement spotlights, as nothing else could, the psychology of the men who are currently leading the agitation in Punjab and in the process poisoning Hindu-Sikh relations and, indeed, exposing the state to the … Read More
It is difficult to say whether the current Akali agitation represents the last flicker of resistance to the process of national integration, or a new phase in the rise of Sikh sub-nationalism or even nationalism. The answer is likely to depend as much on how the Akalis behave in coming … Read More
This is not the first time that Mrs. Gandhi has spoken of foreign interference in India’s domestic politics. She has done so whenever she has been faced with a difficult political situation; on the eve of and during the emergency, for example. As in the past, she has not cited … Read More
Mr. PC Sethi is not one of those Congress (I) leaders who believe that one of the quickest and most effective ways of endearing themselves to the Prime Minister is to condemn the press. It is, therefore, sad that faced with a difficult situation arising out of publication of documentary … Read More
The breakdown of talks between the Congress (I) and the National Conference for an electoral alliance in Jammu and Kashmir, however unfortunate and risky, is not wholly unexpected. In fact, it would have been rather surprising if the talks had succeeded. To begin with, it should be appreciated that Dr. … Read More
It is difficult not to be disturbed over the turn of events in Jammu and Kashmir. The breakdown of talks for an electoral alliance between the Congress (1) and the National Conference creates a potentially, even if not necessarily, a dangerous situation. For no possible outcome of the resulting competition … Read More
The people in Punjab, indeed, the whole country, would have expected the Congress (I) in the state to close its ranks in the face of the grave threat posed by the Akalis. This has not happened. On the contrary dissidents in the state Congress (I) legislature party have become active … Read More
The Akali extremists have struck again. This time the victims are the deputy inspector general of police, Mr. Avtar Singh Atwal, and an 11year-old boy. The police officer was not even in uniform at the time of his assassination. He had gone to the Golden Temple with his wife and … Read More
After the great Calcutta killings in 1946, the Nellie killings in 1983. Nothing so gruesome has disgraced India since the post-partition riots. This has sent shock waves through the length and breadth of the country. The Indian people have witnessed a lot of violence in this century. But just as … Read More
Two developments have taken place in connection with the recent elections to the Delhi Metropolitan Council and the Delhi Municipal Corporation which call for attention, though it is still difficult to assess their importance. Indeed, at this stage it is not even possible to say whether or not the two … Read More
