I found this book browsing books available under ‘Kindle
Unlimited’. There is one huge disappointment, which I faced first time about kindle
books. This book has numerous font and spelling mistakes. It seems that a draft
and not the final version have been released under kindle limited.
Mark Tully has
maintained a flowing narrative throughout the book. The narrative touches
briefly the history of Sikhs. The emergence of Bhidranwale and the role played
by India Gandhi and Akali Dal and Congress leadership in assisting this emergence
is quite well explored, though the rigour of exploration is of a journalist and
not of an academic. The book came in 1986, 2 years after operation blue star,
which suggests that Tully and Satish Jacob (both are authors of this book) were
working briskly to complete their project. Times of India is most cited
reference. For me, it is hard to believe that Times of India can serve such
serious purpose.
I have earlier
read K.S. Brar’s ‘Operation Blue Star: The True Story. I was impressed by the
book and by the map which is provided along with the book. But when one read
Tully and Jacob’s book, Brar’s book seems like unofficial government propaganda
or apology. The mutinies that Indian army faces as the aftermath of the
operation Blue Star are completely downplayed by the Brar. Brar’s book also
zooms right from the start on Golden Temple saga and hardly provides any
background.
Credit must be
given to Tully and Jacob that they do not portray Bhidranwale as hero. His opportunism,
inconsistency and ritual/symbol driven fundamentalism have been captured as the
completely short-sighted policies of then political leadership. At no place,
book seems to try to remain on the right side of the government narrative. It questions
it without providing any alternative one.
--
I keep thinking
about Punjab insurgency and how it does not exist in any significant form anymore.
I would like to read some detailed studies about this episode of Indian
history. What I understand right now is there was some heavy-handed response of
police and other forces which was not popularly opposed. I think this is a
crucial point where Punjab issue becomes very different from the question of
Kashmir.
I always think
that Sri Lanka and LTTE question is a parallel to Kashmir issue. But I need to
read more about it.
From what I
understand, there are two extreme solutions for Kashmir issue: a political one
where Kashmir is released from Indian control while Jammu and Ladakh are
retained with some understanding about religious tourism and economic cooperation
and a military one where any separatist opposition in annihilated. But military
solution is difficult to implement since demand from separate Kashmir is now
mingled with global Jihad and any military response is sure to generate
counter-response from terrorist which are not directly connected to Kashmir
issue. The might of Indian state and army is too great for true separatist but its
advantage is severely diminished when seen against combination of global
terrorism, Kashmir separatists and Pakistan sponsored activities.
The current
strategy of stick and carrot can work only if stick and carrot are coordinated.
The bureaucracy, police and military has to work in sensitive and coordinated
manner under sensible political leadership. But such coordination is difficult
to achieve and status-quo and short-term gains rules over any significant
development.
It is not to say
that current policy has not brought any fruit. The terror incidences are
clearly on decline. (Here,
Indian express article by Praveen Swami)The deaths and causalities in current
phase of unrest are lesser than 2010, though the din is more cacophonous. What trouble
any sensitive and liberal minded observer are those youths with anger and
stones. How can we make them believe in Indian democracy?
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