Also in the form of Punjab Police crackdown on separatists led by pro-Khalistan Amritpal Singh Continuing, the fear of violent repercussions has subsided with ordinary Punjabis rejecting radical elements that threaten stability and development in the border state.
since the operation against separatists Apart from murmurs of protest from groups based outside India, people have denounced politics and separatism, and there were apprehensions that giving space to such elements would derail development in the state. News18.com spoke to a section of the society on this issue.
Trishneet Arora, Cyber Security Entrepreneur (Forbes India 30 Under 30, 2018; Fortune India 40 Under 40, 2019)
I firmly believe that this is not only influencing future investments in Punjab but will also have a major impact on existing businesses. Businesses and industries would be influenced to move from Punjab to other states such as Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, or Maharashtra to avoid falling victim to the radicalization movement. The state’s GDP is dependent on agriculture which is already in debt. The only option left with the state was to promote the service industry and revive the economy. Due to past cases in the state of political or policy matters, we are already in debt above Rs 3 lakh crore and it is estimated to increase from Rs 1 lakh crore to Rs 4 lakh crore in the coming year. If current affairs are affected, we will need the support of the Centre. I firmly believe that this would be the only option left for a centrally governed state.
I believe that the gentleman youth of Punjab are not in any revolutionary movement and want to be a part of it in future also. Yes, there was a community that has been affected during the 1980s and 90s and is mentally or emotionally attached to the condition but not physically a part of it. Punjab has a history of violence, extremism and vengeance, but we should not forget that it also has a history of revolution. After 1997, we have grown ten times without looking back, but in the last few years, we have seen a bad phase again. And people outside Punjab and the citizens of the state are scared. If the central and state governments together do not deal with the situation in a timely manner and stop the extremist groups or external forces trying to disturb the peace of the state, or the extremist groups take adverse action, then unfortunately we have to may have to. Revisit those days.
But I have faith in Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. His government will work on this and will not let us see dark days again. The youth of the state need to feel empowered with jobs and education, not with things like guns, drugs etc. But it is the responsibility of the state and its leadership to secure the future of the youth through best policies and practices.
Jagtar Singh, author of River on Fire: The Khalistan Struggle
Punjab will always be a fertile ground for radical movements and radical politics. Punjab needs moderate Sikh politics. The state has seen terrorism for 15 years and it is yet to end. Somebody has to be held accountable and the entire record has to be made public. A section of the youth of the state will always be influenced by such narratives. I would call it a narrative, not a movement. The youth of the state who are now swayed by this narrative were not even born when Punjab was passing through its worst phase. They must have heard from their elder generations at home.
Absence of liberal politics in the state is one of the reasons why the youth are drawn towards such narratives by some. The people of Punjab and even a large section of the youth do not want to be dragged into such narratives, but they are influenced, and effective restraint is the only option that governments in power need to provide.
SS Virk, former DGP of Punjab
Movement of people like Amritpal Singh in the state is not a serious problem, provided they are dealt with effectively. The government sitting in power will have to give a strong message that no one will be allowed to take the law in their hands. A large section of the youth of the state does not even care about such things. They are more concerned about their livelihood and their daily lives. The government has to send a strong message and send a signal that discourages even the youth. The action that the state government is taking now, should have been done on the day of the Ajnala incident itself. This would have ensured that a section of youth who joined him would not follow him further.
Renowned Advocate Satyapal Jain
Sikhs in Punjab have for long stood by the moderates and not supported the extremists. They have always wanted a harmonious government. There is a very tiny minority in the entire state who support these kinds of thought processes of extremism and fundamentalism. A large section of the society does not want fundamentalism which brings disrepute to the state and its people. A handful of elements cannot win over the thought process of the majority. If this had happened, there would have been consequences, but people preferred peace instead of violence and extremism. The people of the state have chosen unity and brotherhood over extremism and this should be a clear message to those who think of choosing this path.
Dr. Pramod Kumar, Director, Institute for Development and Communication (IDC)
There are several triggers for the situation that has arisen: political restraint is non-existent and the state administration’s countermeasures have been curtailed. There is a need to rein in such energies that disturb the peace and harmony of the state. People at large do not even agree with such extremism. Liberal politics is what the people of the state want and do. If there is a convincing counter-story then the youth of Punjab will definitely be attracted.
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