Sikhs in other parts of the country began to feel safe, because of the Relationship with BJP Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister of Punjab

•At the Centre, there is always a fear associated with Punjab — that of Sikh politics. A tag of separatism has been attached to it.
Sikhs can’t be separatists. In our very roots, even in our prayers, we think of the whole world as a place for the entire humanity, not just this country. These are all baseless fears that the Centre comes up with to taint us.
•So, there was never a separatist mood here?
No, there wasn’t. Even when the country was partitioned, there was an offer from Jinnah, but as true patriots the Sikhs chose to stay in India.
•Tell me about your experience with the BJP leaders when you were in jail. It seems to have bridged the gap between Hindu and Sikh politics.
Yes, the divide narrowed down. The relationship with the BJP was not for a specific purpose. It was natural and Sikhs in other parts of the country also began to feel safe. They were confident that a major political party in the country was with them. This was a positive development, because earlier, they used to feel isolated.
•Why do the Sikhs distrust the Congress?
Because immediately after the country became independent, the Congress gave us step-motherly treatment or rather, deceived us. Nehru made several promises to the Sikhs. As a reminder to these promises, Master Tara Singh held a conference in Delhi and was arrested there. When Punjab became a linguistic state, they deceived us yet again. It was they who wanted to make linguistic states. The strongest case was that of Punjab. They didn’t agree to it and there was agitation and finally, we became a linguistic state. But we were betrayed. Chandigarh was not given to us; it was with its parent state and then made into a Union Territory.
•Was the Congress also responsible for the Bhindranwale phenomenon?
If the Congress had handled things properly, everything would have been fine. They have only one theory in Punjab politics — to create friction between the Hindus and the Sikhs. This has been their strategy since the very beginning and this is how they have hurt Punjab. We had always wanted Hindus and Sikhs to live peacefully, not for political gains but because everyone likes a harmonious atmosphere.
•And then you say that people developed a hatred for terrorism. How did that happen?
People started reporting about militants. They realised that it would not benefit them and now there is hardly anyone who supports militancy. Mann might call himself a champion and a good friend of the Congress, but he only got 1,300 votes. And the Congress policy of always pitting an Akali Dal rebel against the main Akali Dal to weaken it has been their biggest mistake.
"Because the people of Punjab couldn't get justice from the Congress, they thought AK-47s could help them get that. They were influenced, but gradually that influence waned off"
Indian Express- 30th June 2008