The Reality of Khalistan: Exploited and Abandoned Pawns

by Dr. Jasneet Bedi

A recent video of Beant Singh’s son expressing his regret over his father’s assassination of Indira Gandhi has brought to light the nature of Khalistanis to abandon people they use as pawns to further their agenda. Singh’s son alleges that his family was neglected by the Jat Sikhs, a dominant community spearheading the separatist movement Khalistan.

The Khalistani movement has a dark and unsettling history of exploiting and then abandoning individuals for its own gains. This insidious pattern preys on those from marginalized communities, particularly Dalit Sikhs, offering promises of wealth, power, and recognition, only to discard them once their usefulness has expired.

Akashdeep, an ITI student, found himself embroiled in a controversial incident orchestrated by Inderjit Singh and Jaspal Singh. The two individuals coerced Akashdeep into hoisting the Khalistani Flag at the DC Office Complex in Moga, while also displaying disrespect towards the Indian National Flag within the office premises. India Today reported that they only received just USD 267, and that the main accused, Inderjeet Singh and Jaspal Singh, received funds via Western Union from the proscribed pro-Khalistan outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). While Inderjeet and Jaspal were apprehended by the Delhi Police Special Cell, attempting to flee to Pakistan via Nepal for training, the third accused, Akashdeep, was arrested by the Punjab Police. Subsequently, Akashdeep and his family found themselves abandoned without support from the Khalistani group.

Source: News Dateline Punjab

Khalistani extremists strategically target individuals who are more susceptible to their promises of a utopian Khalistan, promising them huge amounts of money in return for an act of violence or terror. The lure of a better life for their family becomes a powerful tool, trapping individuals in a web of false hopes and aspirations. The promises, however, are nothing more than empty rhetoric designed to manipulate and exploit the desperation of these vulnerable individuals.

Once radicalized and committed to the cause, these individuals become pawns in the game of Khalistan. Extremists glorify their actions, presenting them as heroes, martyrs, and symbols of Sikh resistance. This glorification not only boosts the morale of the pawns, making them more willing to engage in acts of violence and destruction but also serves as a recruitment strategy, showcasing the perceived achievements attainable through violence.

However, the tragedy unfolds when these pawns have served their purpose. Khalistani extremists quickly abandon them, leaving them to face the consequences of their actions alone and without support. Families of those killed or imprisoned are left out to dry by the pro-Khalistani elements, revealing the hollowness of the promises made earlier. The aftermath is a trail of destruction and despair, a stark contrast to the utopia initially painted by Khalistani recruiters.

Examples abound of individuals who fell victim to this exploitative game. Beant Singh, the national security guard who assassinated Indira Gandhi in 1984, was initially hailed as a hero by Khalistani extremists. Yet, after his execution, his family found themselves abandoned, facing discrimination from the Sikh community. Dilawar Singh, another involved in the assassination, met a similar fate. His family was left in poverty and struggled to make ends meet.

Jassi Lailpuria, a well-known Sikh Pakistani singer who once prominently collaborated with SFJ in support of the Khalistan separatist movement, is battling for his life in a hospital with not a single gesture of support from his former allies.

Mandeep Singh, a Sikh youth from Delhi, was enticed into Khalistani extremism with promises of wealth and recognition. After being involved in bombings in Delhi, he was arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment. His family, left high and dry by the Khalistanis, was forced to relocate, illustrating the profound consequences of falling victim to the manipulative tactics of Khalistani recruiters.

The lure of promises such as wealth, power, and recognition serves as a facade for a movement that preys on the dreams and aspirations of the youth, especially from marginalized communities. The cycle of using and then discarding individuals once their utility diminishes highlights the opportunistic nature of the Khalistani movement, leaving behind a trail of broken promises and shattered lives.

Dr. Jasneet Bedi

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