Bakhshish Singh Sandhu MD
Ever since the partition of the Indian subcontinent on August 15, 1947, into India and Pakistan, the erstwhile country of Punjab (the Indian-Punjab) has been occupied and colonized by India. A process of alien subjugation, domination, and exploitation of the Sikh state that began with the British colonization continues under the Republic of India. India is not only using Punjab’s land and resources for itself but has also proceeded to destroy Sikh national, religious, linguistic, and cultural identity. The carving up of Punjab’s territory, the diversion of its key economic resources, the denial of religious freedom, the violation of fundamental civil and political rights of its people, and the regular pogroms on Sikh communities and holy sites across India demonstrate Sikh subjugation, domination, and exploitation by India. There has been a long history of discrimination, political treachery, and phony negotiations that resulted in repression, persecution, and unspeakable tortures of the Sikhs since 1947. Indian Army’s invasion (Operation Blue Star) of Darbar Sahib in June 1984 and the Sikh genocide in November 1984 all over India tell the story of the existential threat to Sikhs in India. There has been a terrible tale of tortures and ruthless extrajudicial killing of Sikhs. The Sikhs have realized that the reestablishment of the independence of Punjab is their only option. This book describes the Sikh struggle for freedom and justice and their resolve and determination to achieve this goal by the exercise of their fundamental right to self-determination.
