Few supporters for Khalistanis' cause in UK

ON MISSION: In Britain, increasingly more Sikhs are spreading the idea of an independent Sikh state.

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London: In Britain, increasingly more Sikhs are spreading the idea of an independent Sikh state among the non-Sikhs and the politicians. However, many say that these moves are few and disconnected from the realities of Punjab.

“After the 1984 riots, Punjab has greatly prospered. It is now, in fact, one of the most prosperous states of India. There aren’t many [Khalistani] activities in Punjab and I don't find much support for them here either," President, International Punjabi Society, Gurdip Singh Gujaral says.

At a few Gurdwaras in Britain, like the one in Slough, Khalistanis still believe the British Government will speak for them.

"There's nothing wrong in having a separate country. And then if you look at the teachings of Guru Gobind Singhji, you’ll come across the expression raj karega Khalsa (Khalsa shall rule). Of course, the Khalsa must rule because people’s faith can prosper only if they are the ruling class,” member of Sikh Secretariat, UK, Dabinderjit Singh explains.

Other Sikhs, however, disagree. They say they see personal motives in the Khalistan campaign.

“Sikhs were created to defend India, not to break up India,” President, British Sikh Association, Rami Ranger says.

Gujral, too, points out personal motives behind the Khalistani campaign.

“These are only those people who have been denied visas to go to India. They can't go to their home country, can't go to meet their relations, and they have no alternative,” he says.

Not many Sikhs plan their weddings in a hall dedicated to the memory of assassins. Those that do, say Khalistanis have put down the gun in favour of the argument. Even though all that is not getting very far at the moment, some haven't given it up either.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has warned against a revival of the group in Europe and North America.