Dear Editor,
The Project Syndicate article (January 20th) from Ashoka Mody says the following about Prime Minister Indira Gandhi: “Her pandering to Hindus in the Jammu and Kashmir elections, and her support for the Sikh militant Sant Bhindranwale in Punjab, further stoked Hindu identity politics.”
That is not how I remember it at all. What I recall is that Bhindranwale would carry out whatever attacks he made and then flee to the Golden Temple for refuge. Apparently it was understood to be some kind of line that would never be crossed, that is, to follow him there to arrest him.
Mrs. Gandhi threatened him that she would instruct the troops to follow him even there. He carried out another attack and fled there and the rest is history. I recall that it led to quite a conflagration. So when it was that she “supported the Sikh militant”?
Sincerely,
Frederick W.A. Collins
