Was Bhindranwale Getting Hindus Killed ? - Baldev Singh

📖 Summary of "Was Bhindranwale Getting Hindus Killed?" by Baldev Singh

The book "Was Bhindranwale Getting Hindus Killed? (Communal Media)" by Baldev Singh is a non-fiction work that directly confronts the popular, media-driven, and governmental narrative surrounding Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and the communal violence in Punjab during the early 1980s.

The author, Baldev Singh, writes from a perspective that is critical of the Indian media and the central government's portrayal of the events and the Sikh leader.

Key Arguments and Focus:

• Challenging the Communal Narrative: The primary thesis of the book is that the image of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale as a figure responsible for the systematic killing of Hindus in Punjab was a deliberate distortion created and amplified by a section of the Indian media and the government for political ends. The subtitle "(Communal Media)" highlights the author's focus on this alleged media campaign.

   

• Media Bias and Misinformation: Baldev Singh argues that the media failed to "project Sikh issues correctly based on the historical facts about political rights of the Sikhs." Instead, they sensationalized incidents, falsely attributed violence to Bhindranwale's followers, and ignored the genuine political and economic grievances of the Sikh community as outlined in the Anandpur Sahib Resolution.

   

• Bhindranwale's True Focus: The book presents the view that Bhindranwale's core mission was primarily religious and social reform within the Sikh community (e.g., campaigning against drug and alcohol abuse, promoting Sikh identity) and advocating for the demands of the Dharam Yudh Morcha for greater autonomy for Punjab within India.

• Government's Role in Blame: The book strongly argues that Bhindranwale was "wrongly blamed" by the government and the media for being a Congress creation, working to establish Khalistan, and orchestrating a "Hindu genocide." The author aims to present evidence and perspectives that contradict the official narrative.

   

• Contextualizing Violence: While not denying that communal violence occurred in Punjab, the book seeks to contextualize it, suggesting that the violence was either perpetrated by:

  • Government agents attempting to malign the Sikh movement and create a pretext for state intervention (as some contemporary sources alleged).

  • Independent militant groups that were not under Bhindranwale's direct control.

  • Acts of retaliation for state oppression.