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{{Original research|date=December 2007}}
⚫
:''This is about the proposed nation-state, see [[Khalistan movement]] for a detailed article on the attempted creation of this state''
{{Infobox Country
|conventional_long_name = Sikh Republic of Khalistan{{Fact|date=May 2007}}
|common_name = Khalistan
|image_flag = Flagge Khalistans.svg
|image_coat =
|symbol_type =
|image_map = Proposed Map of Khalistan.jpg
|motto = [[Khanda (religious symbol)]]{{Fact|date=February 2008}}
<!-- There is only one anthem, you can't have several from which you can choose -->
|anthem = [[Deh Shiva Bar Mohe]]
|official_languages = [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] and [[English language|English]]{{Fact|date=December 2007}}
|capital =
|largest_city =
|government_type =
|leader_title1 =
|leader_name1 =
|leader_title2 =
|leader_name2 =
|sovereignty_type =
|established_event1 = [[April 29th]], [[1986]] Declared {{Fact|date=January 2008}}
|established_date1 =
}}


⚫
:''This is about the proposed [[Sikh]] nation-state, see [[Khalistan movement]] for a detailed article on the attempted creation of this state.''
[[Image:Flag-of-Khalistan.svg|thumb|150px|A proposed flag for Khalistan]]

'''Khālistān''' (East {{lang-pa|ਖਾਲਿਸਤਾਨ}}, West {{lang-pa|ًًخالستان}}), meaning "The Land of the Pure", is the name given to a proposed nation-state, whose official title would be the [[Sikh]] Republic of Khalistan. It is envisioned as a modern state based on religious (but tolerant), democratic and egalitarian principles. Its borders include the present [[India]]n state of [[Punjab region|Punjab]] and all [[Punjab region|Punjabi]]-speaking areas contiguous to its borders, with the possible inclusion of Lahore, the previous capital of Punjab pre-1947. The proposed state is fought for through the [[Khalistan movement]].
'''Khālistān''' (East {{lang-pa|ਖਾਲਿਸਤਾਨ}}), official title '''Sikh Republic of Khalistan''', was the name given by [[Jagjit Singh Chauhan]], to a proposed nation-state based on theocratic principles.<ref>[http://www.khalistan.net/Map_of_Khalistan.html Website of Paramjit S. Ajrawat]</ref>. . It was instigated by a few Sikh leaders who believed they, like Muslims of [[Pakistan]], [[Sikhs]] too should get a new state. The Sikhs had an independent state with Lahore as the capital until 1849 until it invaded British territory and was therefore conquered. Under the Treaty of Amritsar the state was to restored to the Sikhs once Duleep Singh attained the age of 21. <ref>http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2242/is_1618_277/ai_68157986</ref>

Since some separatist Sikh leaders only claim territory that is part of India while ignoring the fact that Lahore (which is now in Pakistan) was the capital of the independent state and also do not claim any territory in Punjab province of Pakistan that houses some well known sikh religious shrines, it is seen as anti-india movement by other sikh leaders who claim an Independent Khalistan should also include territory that is part of the Punjab province in Pakistan along with [[Lahore]] as its Capital.


==History==
==History==
[[Image:Punjab.gif|thumb|150px|A proposed map of Khālistān]]
{{main|Khalistan movement}}
{{main|Khalistan movement}}

<!-- stick to the movement, not the broader history of Punjab. Also rationale behind movement addressed in [[Khalistan movement]] -->
<!-- stick to the movement, not the broader history of Punjab. Also rationale behind movement addressed in [[Khalistan movement]] -->
In the 1970s and 80s, a movement began in the [[India]]n [[States and territories of India|state]] of [[Punjab]] to secede from the Indian Union and create a separate sovereign Sikh state of Khalistan. Supported by the [[Pakistan]]i [[Inter Services Intelligence]]<ref>{{cite book
In the 1970s and 80s, a movement was begun with the intention of reclaiming Sikh civil rights, which had slowly been eroded by the central government since Indian independence and particularly since 1966. Sikh grievances included:
| last = Jaffrelot
1) unfair allocation of Punjab's river resources
| first = Christophe
2) denial of Sikhism (world's fifth largest religion) as a separate religion and nation in the Indian constitution
| title = A History Of Pakistan And Its Origins
3) central government policy of encouraging Hindu non-Punjabis into Punjab in an effort to decrease the Sikh majority
| series = Anthem South Asian Studies
4) the assault on the Punjabi language and its reduced importance in Punjabi affairs, with Hindi being given preference
| publisher = Anthem Press
5) reduced industrialisation compared to other states
| year = 2004
6) central government support for blasphemous sects such as the Nirankaris in a flagrant attempt to instigate trouble with the Sikh nation
| isbn = 978-1843311492
7) laws that specifically curtailed the rights of Sikhs whilst allowing others freedom of choice, i.e. right to buy property outside of Punjab and gun ownership
| pages = 127
8) the refusal to grant Amritsar the status of a "holy city"
}}</ref><ref>{{cite book
| last = Shah
| first = Mehtab Ali
| title = The Foreign Policy of Pakistan: Ethnic Impacts on Diplomacy, 1971-1994
| publisher = I.B.Tauris
| year = 1997
| isbn = 978-1860641695
| pages = 23
}}</ref> agency,the movement reached its peak during mid [[1980]]s under [[Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale]]. It then slowly ebbed out, primarily due to the loss of popular support. The movement also hindered economic investment, became increasingly militant, and threw Punjab into a state of [[anarchy]] with increased levels of [[terrorism]]. The movement was also countered by counter-terrorism operations conducted by the [[Indian Army]] and the [[Punjab Police]] led by [[KPS Gill]] which caused the deaths of thousands of innocent Sikhs <ref>[http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/10/18/india17103.htm Human Rights Watch]; Time for India to Deliver Justice in Punjab]</ref>.


After the bombing of [[Air India Flight 182]] that claimed the lives of 329 Canadian civilians over the Irish Sea (the worst aviation terrorist attack before [[September 11]]), support for Khalistan lessened to a large extent. Two of the accused in the case, the Sikh separatists [[Ripudaman Singh Malik]] and [[Ajaib Singh Bagri]] were found not guilty for lack of admissable evidence and released, while a third accused [[Inderjit Singh Reyat]] was sentenced to ten years after pleading guilty.<ref>[http://archives.cbc.ca/IDC-1-70-1018-5695/disasters_tragedies/air_india_investigation/clip6 Sentencing Inderjit Singh Reyat]</ref> In [[1989]] Canadian journalists Zuhair Kashmeri and Brian McAndrew in their book ''[[Soft Target (book)| Soft Target]]'' propounded a [[conspiracy theory]] that the Government of India could have staged the attack to portray the separatists in bad light. This book was later viewed by the official Commission of Inquiry in Canada as a work of fiction based on the events surrouding Flight 182 especially after the plead of guilt by [[Inderjit Singh Reyat]]<ref>Commission of Inquiry into the Investigation of the Bombing of Air India Flight 182
As none of these grievances were met, the Sikh nation formulated the Anandpur Sahib Resolution, which was first released in 1973 and then later amended slightly in 1977. It called largely for a stop, and then reversal of the aforementioned policies. However, the central government made it clear that it would not move on any of these issues. This lent weight to the argument of many religious Sikhs that the only ways Sikhs would get their fair birthrights, was by violent resistance.
TERRORISM, INTELLIGENCE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT – CANADA’S RESPONSE TO SIKH TERRORISM http://www.majorcomm.ca/documents/dossier2_ENG.pdf DOSSIER 2)</ref>


Another book written by acclaimed investigative journalist Salim Jiwa titled 'Margin of Terror': A Reporter's Twenty-Year Odyssey Covering The Tragedies of the Air India Bombing, gives an eye-witness account of the terrorist bombing of Flight 182 and appears to be more in line with the findings of Canadian Law Enforecement.<ref>{{cite book
A young charismatic preacher by the name of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale had emerged in 1977 as Jathedar or head of Damdami Taksal, an ancient and very influential seminary in Sikhism. His martial bearing and the fiery speeches aroused a sense of nationalism in many young Sikhs. As more and more Sikhs became baptised and began to listen and act upon the speeches given by Sant Bhindranwale, violence in Punjab increased, due to criminal infiltration of the revivalist movement and state-sponsored terrorism. Events culminated in Operation Bluestar, the codename for the Indian Army's assault on the Golden Temple Complex in June 1984.
| last = Salim Jiwa
| first = Donald J Hauka
| title = [[Margin of Terror (book)| Margin of Terror]] - A Reporter's Twenty-Year Odyssey Covering The Tragedies of the Air India Bombing
| publisher = Key Porter Books
| year = 2006
| isbn = 1552637727
| pages = 288
}}</ref>


⚫
==Geography==
The fighting lasted for 72 hours and Sant Bhindranwale, along with 500 or so of his followers attained martyrdom. Officially, 83 Indian soldiers died, although unofficial reports suggest at least 100 soldiers were killed. Moreover, additional reports suggested that up to 5,000 civilians may have been murdered by the Indian Army, as they had gone to commemorate the 400th year anniversary of the martyrdom of Guru Arjun Dev Ji, the fifth Guru of the Sikhs.
<blockquote>The geographical boundaries of Khalistan will include current East Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pardesh, part of Rajasthan and small part of Uttar Pardesh. River Ravi on the west and river Jamuna on the east will be some of the boundary lines between Khalistan & Pakistan, Khalistan & India respectively. In the north, part of Himalayan range and in south, part of Thar Desert will make the geographical boundaries of Khalistan. (Source: http://www.khalistan.net)</blockquote>


This would make the proposed region [[Hindu]] majority <ref>A Demographic Case Study of Forced Migration:The 1947 Partition of India Authors: Hill K, Seltzer W, Leaning J , Malik SJ, Russell SS4, Makinson C, http://paa2004.princeton.edu/download.asp?submissionId=41274</ref>. Paramjit Singh Ajrawat states that Khalistan will be a [[theocratic]] state with Sikh ethos and ecumenical principles will make some of the fundamentalism of Khalistan's constitution. During the dusturbances in 1988, thousands of Hindus had fled Punjab<ref>Thousands of Hindu Workers Flee Punjab as Sikh fundamentalists Stepped Up Violence NEW YORK TIMES
The desecration of the Golden Temple complex, in particular the Akal Takhat, led to a huge spurt in militancy in Punjab, which was to last until 1993. The various militants organised themselves into a number of organisations, with Babbar Khalsa International, Khalistan Commando Force, Khalistan Liberation Force and Bhindranwale Tiger Force of Khalistan being the largest and most influential.
Published: May 24, 1988 http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE1DD1E3FF937A15756C0A96E948260</ref> when more than 50 of them were killed by Sikh militants.


==References==
A Sarbat Khalsa was organised by Damdami Taksal at the Golden Temple complex in 1986, where more than 500,000 Sikhs congregated. A resolution was passed unanimously declaring the independence of Khalistan.
{{reflist}}


==Demographics==
==Sources==
* [http://www.punjabtrauma.org/ List of terrorist violence in Punjab]

* [http://security.homeoffice.gov.uk/legislation/current-legislation/terrorism-act-2000/proscribed-terrorist-groups List of terrorist groups banned across Europe]
The people would be predominantly Sikh and Punjabi speaking.
* [http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/41056.pdf List of terrorist groups banned by US Government]

* [http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGASA200022003?open&of=ENG-IND Amnesty International on Punjab lack of Justice and Impunity]
⚫
==Geography==
* [http://www.flight182.com/ Death of Flight 182 website]
The areas that would be under the proposed land of Khalistan would include the Indian state of [[Punjab (India)]]. Other encompassing areas include area in Haryana (Sirsa, Fatehabad, Panchkula and Ambala districts and the Guhla tehsil of Kaithal district), Himachal Pradesh (Kangra, Solan, Bilaspur, Hamirpur and Una districts), Rajasthan (Sangara tehsil of Ganganagar district, including Ganganagar city itself) and the entire union territory of Chandigarh.
* [http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/10/18/india17103.htm Human Rights Watch; Time for India to Deliver Justice in Punjab]


[[Category:Sikh politics]]
[[Category:Khalistan movement]]
[[Category:Wikipedia controversial topics]]


[[de:Khalistan]]
[[de:Khalistan]]

Revision as of 15:42, 6 March 2008

Sikh Republic of Khalistan[citation needed]
Flag of Khalistan
Flag
Motto: Khanda (religious symbol)[citation needed]
Anthem: Deh Shiva Bar Mohe
Location of Khalistan
Official languagesPunjabi and English[citation needed]
Establishment
This is about the proposed Sikh nation-state, see Khalistan movement for a detailed article on the attempted creation of this state.

Khālistān (East Punjabi: ਖਾਲਿਸਤਾਨ), official title Sikh Republic of Khalistan, was the name given by Jagjit Singh Chauhan, to a proposed nation-state based on theocratic principles.[1]. . It was instigated by a few Sikh leaders who believed they, like Muslims of Pakistan, Sikhs too should get a new state. The Sikhs had an independent state with Lahore as the capital until 1849 until it invaded British territory and was therefore conquered. Under the Treaty of Amritsar the state was to restored to the Sikhs once Duleep Singh attained the age of 21. [2]

Since some separatist Sikh leaders only claim territory that is part of India while ignoring the fact that Lahore (which is now in Pakistan) was the capital of the independent state and also do not claim any territory in Punjab province of Pakistan that houses some well known sikh religious shrines, it is seen as anti-india movement by other sikh leaders who claim an Independent Khalistan should also include territory that is part of the Punjab province in Pakistan along with Lahore as its Capital.

History

Main article: Khalistan movement

In the 1970s and 80s, a movement began in the Indian state of Punjab to secede from the Indian Union and create a separate sovereign Sikh state of Khalistan. Supported by the Pakistani Inter Services Intelligence[3][4] agency,the movement reached its peak during mid 1980s under Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. It then slowly ebbed out, primarily due to the loss of popular support. The movement also hindered economic investment, became increasingly militant, and threw Punjab into a state of anarchy with increased levels of terrorism. The movement was also countered by counter-terrorism operations conducted by the Indian Army and the Punjab Police led by KPS Gill which caused the deaths of thousands of innocent Sikhs [5].

After the bombing of Air India Flight 182 that claimed the lives of 329 Canadian civilians over the Irish Sea (the worst aviation terrorist attack before September 11), support for Khalistan lessened to a large extent. Two of the accused in the case, the Sikh separatists Ripudaman Singh Malik and Ajaib Singh Bagri were found not guilty for lack of admissable evidence and released, while a third accused Inderjit Singh Reyat was sentenced to ten years after pleading guilty.[6] In 1989 Canadian journalists Zuhair Kashmeri and Brian McAndrew in their book Soft Target propounded a conspiracy theory that the Government of India could have staged the attack to portray the separatists in bad light. This book was later viewed by the official Commission of Inquiry in Canada as a work of fiction based on the events surrouding Flight 182 especially after the plead of guilt by Inderjit Singh Reyat[7]

Another book written by acclaimed investigative journalist Salim Jiwa titled 'Margin of Terror': A Reporter's Twenty-Year Odyssey Covering The Tragedies of the Air India Bombing, gives an eye-witness account of the terrorist bombing of Flight 182 and appears to be more in line with the findings of Canadian Law Enforecement.[8]

Geography

The geographical boundaries of Khalistan will include current East Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pardesh, part of Rajasthan and small part of Uttar Pardesh. River Ravi on the west and river Jamuna on the east will be some of the boundary lines between Khalistan & Pakistan, Khalistan & India respectively. In the north, part of Himalayan range and in south, part of Thar Desert will make the geographical boundaries of Khalistan. (Source: http://www.khalistan.net)

This would make the proposed region Hindu majority [9]. Paramjit Singh Ajrawat states that Khalistan will be a theocratic state with Sikh ethos and ecumenical principles will make some of the fundamentalism of Khalistan's constitution. During the dusturbances in 1988, thousands of Hindus had fled Punjab[10] when more than 50 of them were killed by Sikh militants.

References

  1. ^ Website of Paramjit S. Ajrawat
  2. ^ http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2242/is_1618_277/ai_68157986
  3. ^ Jaffrelot, Christophe (2004). A History Of Pakistan And Its Origins. Anthem South Asian Studies. Anthem Press. p. 127. ISBN 978-1843311492.
  4. ^ Shah, Mehtab Ali (1997). The Foreign Policy of Pakistan: Ethnic Impacts on Diplomacy, 1971-1994. I.B.Tauris. p. 23. ISBN 978-1860641695.
  5. ^ Human Rights Watch; Time for India to Deliver Justice in Punjab]
  6. ^ Sentencing Inderjit Singh Reyat
  7. ^ Commission of Inquiry into the Investigation of the Bombing of Air India Flight 182 TERRORISM, INTELLIGENCE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT – CANADA’S RESPONSE TO SIKH TERRORISM http://www.majorcomm.ca/documents/dossier2_ENG.pdf DOSSIER 2)
  8. ^ Salim Jiwa, Donald J Hauka (2006). Margin of Terror - A Reporter's Twenty-Year Odyssey Covering The Tragedies of the Air India Bombing. Key Porter Books. p. 288. ISBN 1552637727.
  9. ^ A Demographic Case Study of Forced Migration:The 1947 Partition of India Authors: Hill K, Seltzer W, Leaning J , Malik SJ, Russell SS4, Makinson C, http://paa2004.princeton.edu/download.asp?submissionId=41274
  10. ^ Thousands of Hindu Workers Flee Punjab as Sikh fundamentalists Stepped Up Violence NEW YORK TIMES Published: May 24, 1988 http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE1DD1E3FF937A15756C0A96E948260

Sources

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