Former Indian diplomat Ashok Sajjanhar said despite Pakistan’s backing “Referendum 2020” has failed to gain mass support. He asserted that in spite of Pakistan funding the banned Sikh fundamental groups including Babbar Khalsa International and Khalistan Commando Force, the movement has failed to attain the desired push.
Sajjanhar has served as an ambassador to Kazakhstan, Sweden, and Latvia claimed Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI), Pakistan’s spy agency has a hand behind plottings against India.
“There are enemies of India, like Pakistan, who want to wake up the issue of Khalistan. They have been trying to provoke the Sikhs of India and incite them but have not been successful in any way,” Sajjanhar said.
He added the whole idea of “Referendum 2020” to demand a separate state by Sikhs has failed to amass the required support. He further went on to suggest that various critical forces were working hard to incite this movement but would fail to drive it in any significant manner.
Comparing the motives of the neighbouring countries, he added India intends to maintain stability in the region through an agreement on Kartarpur Corridor. While Pakistan was fanning the Khalistan movement by pledging its support to separatist organizations like Sikhs for Justice.
Sajjanhar further added Sikhs have more right to their historical Sikh shrines located within Pakistan. “Hundreds of Sikh religious places are located in Pakistan. So, how will all these things be included in the idea of Khalistan?” he questioned.
Pointing to the territorial and political position of Punjab, he said Sikhs are not in majority as the state comprises Hindus, and Muslims, among others. He debunked the theory stating, “So, in any sense of the world this idea is not viable.”
Punjab has in the past, suffered enormously from a decade long militancy in the 1980s. Towards the mid-199s the Khalistani movement fizzed away paving way for peace and prosperity in the state.
Meanwhile, the people in Punjab have demanded strict action against the plotters of “Referendum 2020” living abroad.