•So, you want it to change?

Yes, definitely. This has been a major demand of Punjab for a long time.

•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.

•Nelson Mandela was in jail but in an occupied country, you were imprisoned in your own independent country.

This was a policy of the Central Government, of the Congress.

•But you stayed in jail for so long... are you not bitter about it?

No, I am not bitter. I have done my duty and this is not just for the Sikhs or for the state. If anyone stood up for the country during the Emergency, it was the Shiromani Akali Dal. We started surrendering from day one of the Emergency till the very last day. Others were arrested, but we were the only ones to offer ourselves. When the Emergency began, Indira Gandhi sent a message saying that you may rule in Punjab forever, but don’t stand against the Emergency. This was against our basic principles, as we have always fought against injustice. So, we stood up against the Emergency and also supported Jai Prakash Narayan.

... contd.