To beyond Khalistan (Indian Express)

Mains Paper 2 : International Relations
Prelims level : Khalistani extremism’
Mains level : India’s Diaspora

Context:

• India-Canada ties have deteriorated in recent years, especially given the view that the current Justin Trudeau administration is soft on individuals and organisations that support the demand for Khalistan, a separate Sikh homeland.
• Members of Mr. Trudeau’s Cabinet, especially Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan, have been accused of having links with Sikh separatists.
• When Mr. Sajjan visited India in April 2017, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh refused to meet him for this reason.
• Similarly, Mr. Trudeau received the cold shoulder during his India visit in February 2018.
• When Mr. Singh met Mr. Trudeau, their discussion was on the Khalistan issue, rather than on areas of mutual cooperation.
• Mr. Trudeau drew the ire of the Indian government when a report on terror threats avoided the words ‘Khalistani extremism’.\

Support for a separate homeland:

• There is no doubt that some overseas Sikhs support a separate Sikh homeland, and that there is not much appetite for the same in Punjab.
• However, it is important to not link criticism of India on human rights issues, such as the Sikh pogrom of 1984 and extrajudicial killings in the 1980s and 1990s, with Sikh separatism.
• The Indian media, the government and even politicians in Punjab need to realise that Sikhs based in Canada, the U.K. and the U.S. may have different political views. Similarly, non-violent support for a cause cannot be\ labelled as a militant activity.

Challenges for India and Canada:

• Critics of the Canadian government must also bear in mind that like all relationships, this is a multi-layered one.
• While New Delhi may be uncomfortable with the Canadian government’s approach towards the activities of certain Sikh hard-liners, it is important to bear in mind that for the year 2017, Indian students received well over 25% (over 80,000) of the available study permits.
• In 2017, well over 40% of the 86,022 people who received invitations for permanent residency were Indians. During 2018, this rose by a staggering 13% to 41,000.
• It is important to handle ties with Canada with nuance.
• First, members of the Sikh diaspora and Sikh politicians who are vocal on human rights issues shouldn’t be labelled Khalistani sympathisers.
• Second, it should be remembered that the New Delhi-Ottawa relationship goes well beyond the Khalistan issue.

Conclusion:

• If there is evidence of support for any violent activity, New Delhi and Canada must work together to tackle the problem.
• By focusing only on the Khalistan issue, New Delhi risks alienating the Sikh diaspora.
• India should instead reach out to the Sikh diaspora in a year when Sikhs and all other followers of Guru Nanak will be commemorating his 550th birth anniversary.

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Prelims Questions:

Q.1) With reference to the initiatives by the government to encourage women entrepreneurship within the Country, consider the following statements:
1. Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) has launched a portal namely “Udyam Sakhi” for encouraging women entrepreneurs and to aid, counsel, assist and protect their interests.
2. Under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) the women entrepreneurs are provided 25% and 35% subsidies for the project set up in urban and rural areas respectively.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: C
Mains Questions:
Q.1) How New Delhi risks alienating the Sikh diaspora? What are the steps needed to resolve the problem?