A crisis of conscience during the Punjab turmoil
Around the same time, the PM was to visit the US and Canada, and the situation at home reflected there too. There was a threat to her life
NewsBharati 18-Jul-2026 17:17:47 PM
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Third time Sidhu visited the US and Canada towards the end of 1983. The situation in Punjab had reached a critical point, with Hindus being dragged out of a bus and killed, resulting in the imposition of President's rule.
The PM'S welcome was a somewhat low-key affair. The press coverage of her speech and visit was less, though usual rounds of discussion with press people did take place. By then, as the author could see the 1 Akbar road plan, he thought that Sikh officers were used to the advantage of the party. He cautioned a sikh officer to be careful and not to do anything that he would have to regret later. Later in 2020, they had an opportunity to talk in detail about many points.
When the PM was to address the UN General Assembly, some Sikhs from Canada certainly wanted to protest, but fortunately, they agreed not to use derogatory slogans. Though there definitely was some sort of discontent in their mind about the situation in Punjab.
The next day, he went to report for duty, despite the appreciation for the role in PM'S visit to the US and an opportunity to move ahead with the project, he spoke his mind honestly. He requested to be posted to an analysis wing, as he didn't want to be associated with anything that served the interest of one person, one party, or one family, which had the potential of shaking the foundations of the country. This surprised his senior, as hardly anybody wants to be transferred from a high-profile and sought-after division to the analysis wing, and no one was expected to blame the policies followed by the PM of the stature of Indira ji. This was a request that was of a very serious nature.
Obviously, it was based on the knowledge of facts. Sidhu's request was granted. By November 1983, he was posted as director in charge of an analysis wing. Sri Lanka was a significant component of the area. It was the time of the beginning of a long and ferociously fought battle between LTTE-like Tamil militant groups and Sri Lankan security forces.
More on some intriguing aspects of the conspiracy in the next part.
(This is the sixth part of a series of 8 articles based on the book The Khalistan Conspiracy, written by author GB Sidhu. To read the previous part, click here, here, here, here, and here)
Around the same time, the PM was to visit the US and Canada, and the situation at home reflected there too. There was a threat to her life. It seems the pro-Khalistani demonstration could not be totally avoided, but they were to be kept restrained. It was a difficult task as such things cannot be controlled easily. Pro-Khalistani activities were certainly a cause of worry. The author tried to work through his contacts, though.
When he met the people from his contact, the first thing they wanted to know was what action was initiated on the suggestions made by them to improve the situation. They were certainly distressed by the kind of coverage given by the vernacular media. It was widening the gap between Hindus and Sikhs. The killing of innocent Hindus and the stifled suppression of Sikhs in Haryana were points of pain to all. Gurdwaras in both countries had a great influence on hard-line Sikhs. Many frankly observed that Bhindranwale was encouraged by senior Congress leaders for political gains. This had an impact on their lives in Canada and the US, too. More youth were attracted to the Khalistani ideology. Though this was somewhat the case, the author could not explicitly approve the point. He, too, developed the sense that till the elections, this wouldn't change.
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The PM'S welcome was a somewhat low-key affair. The press coverage of her speech and visit was less, though usual rounds of discussion with press people did take place. By then, as the author could see the 1 Akbar road plan, he thought that Sikh officers were used to the advantage of the party. He cautioned a sikh officer to be careful and not to do anything that he would have to regret later. Later in 2020, they had an opportunity to talk in detail about many points.
When the PM was to address the UN General Assembly, some Sikhs from Canada certainly wanted to protest, but fortunately, they agreed not to use derogatory slogans. Though there definitely was some sort of discontent in their mind about the situation in Punjab.
This whole episode left the author in a dilemma about whether he was protecting the larger national interest or serving the vested interests of some people. By the time he landed in Delhi, he had made up his mind to request his senior that he be relieved from any work related to the ongoing developments in Punjab.
The next day, he went to report for duty, despite the appreciation for the role in PM'S visit to the US and an opportunity to move ahead with the project, he spoke his mind honestly. He requested to be posted to an analysis wing, as he didn't want to be associated with anything that served the interest of one person, one party, or one family, which had the potential of shaking the foundations of the country. This surprised his senior, as hardly anybody wants to be transferred from a high-profile and sought-after division to the analysis wing, and no one was expected to blame the policies followed by the PM of the stature of Indira ji. This was a request that was of a very serious nature.
Obviously, it was based on the knowledge of facts. Sidhu's request was granted. By November 1983, he was posted as director in charge of an analysis wing. Sri Lanka was a significant component of the area. It was the time of the beginning of a long and ferociously fought battle between LTTE-like Tamil militant groups and Sri Lankan security forces.
More on some intriguing aspects of the conspiracy in the next part.
(This is the sixth part of a series of 8 articles based on the book The Khalistan Conspiracy, written by author GB Sidhu. To read the previous part, click here, here, here, here, and here)
Prof. Vidya Deshpande
Professor Vidya Deshpande has had a journey of more than four decades in the field of education. Her main expertise is in the subject of Philosophy, and she has worked as a teacher of philosophy and logic with Nowrosjee Wadia college for 36 years. She has been associated with the Janakalyan Blood bank for last for 38 years and has also carried out the responsibility as a management committee member of Karve Stree Shikshan Sanstha for 10 years. Her special fields of interest are Philosophy of social sciences, school education, development of skills for self reliance, and top up skills to make students profession ready,