My Bleeding Punjab

by Khushwant Singh

This, book, is a must for anyone who wants an in depth understanding of the present impasse. "On the 1st of Baisakh, 13th April 1978, celebrated as New-'-Year's day in the Punjabi calendar, Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, exploded like a nuclear bomb. It not only shook overfed Punjabis out of their slumbers but the fallout continues to " plague the rest of the country even today." This indeed is the tragic story of the troubled and terror-torn state of Punjab. -Today, the complexities of the problem seem not only to be (defying all solutions but at periodic intervals/pose a very real threat to the integrity of the nation. This book, in parts; unashamedly emotional, lucidly traces the history of the problem, detailing the grievances . and resentments of the Punjabis since Independence and touching upon all the major ; developments. What makes this volume special is the author's personal involvement, apparent on every page, and reflecting his views -on Punjab politics and the mess made by "narrow-minded Aka leaders, on the one side, and the deliberately mischievous politics of the central government," on the other. The unfortunate result is there for all to see: all progress in the most progressive state of India is at a standstill, its agricultural and industrial economy lies ruined and its "administration arid judiciary have been reduced to shambles. What is perhaps more disturbing is the fact that there is still no hope of a solution on the horizon.

Genres: Nonfiction

164 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Khushwant Singh, (Punjabi: ਖ਼ੁਸ਼ਵੰਤ ਸਿੰਘ, Hindi: खुशवंत सिंह) born on 2 February 1915 in Hadali, Undivided India, (now a part of Pakistan), was a prominent Indian novelist and journalist. Singh's weekly column, "With Malice towards One and All", carried by several Indian newspapers, was among the most widely-read columns in the country.

An important post-colonial novelist writing in English, Singh is best known for his trenchant secularism, his humor, and an abiding love of poetry. His comparisons of social and behavioral characteristics of Westerners and Indians are laced with acid wit.

Reviews

[Gagandeep · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book narrates the sequence of events that led to the riots of 1984 and also talks about the measures taken after it. I would not like to comment a lot about the style of writing as it contains excerpts from the personal diary or the personal beliefs of the writer about the issue. It is laudable to find an unbiased account of the proceedings of that time. Being a Sikh the book was considerably moving for me. It is really hurtful to know about the ill fate of innocent people due to the evil deeds and lack of judgement of few power hungry people. What scares me more is that we have not learnt from our past mistakes and still use religion as a means to manipulate human sentiments.

[Zarish Fatima · Rating 4 out of 5]

Khushwant Singh started this book with a brief history of Sikhism and Golden temple. He was ferociously Indian, Punjabi and Sikh and vice verse, through out the book. Something he warns his reader about unapologetically in introduction.
Unlike the popular narrative, Singh refused to put complete blame of Khalistan Movement on Pakistan as politicians at that time to cover their incompetency were doing and on this side many believe it was totally perpetuated by Masterminds in Pakistan as revenge for Kashmir. I will agree with Singh's stance on these conspiracy theories that its not quite true or even possible. Khalistan Movement and the bloodshed, innocent bloodshed it caused was direct result of bad governance, bad politics and inflexibility of politicians.
This book is an account of political failures and harms lack of political will can cause. When there is a bulk of youth and its unemployed, that youth potential can also prove to be disastrous than being useful. Human Being's capacity of cruelty is highlighted which should not be a news, but still I get shocked at how poorly and cruelly we can treat each other. The power of propaganda and faceless mobs can bring whole regions to brink.
Reading it I kept on thinking about one thing, the loss that occurs of human life and the pain and hardship the generation living through that time suffers from, can never be fulfilled.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a difficult book to say I enjoyed as it is not fiction but one Sikh's views on what has taken place in the Punjab region in recent history. I admit I knew very little about the political hotbed of issues in the region in the 1980s. I think at the time I was having my children, working full time and living in Australia so news about India was less forthcoming than it would have been in the UK.

I doubt I will remember all the facts and people but it did make me very aware of what a lot the Sikh community have gone through as well as the Hindus in the area. Most Muslims having left this part of India in the Partition.

It is a crazy mixed up political situation based on religious differences, politics and so much more.

I found I an interesting read but hard to really concentrate as the names I find hard to remember and as I said I was pretty ignorant of the events in the 1980s prior to reading this so it was a real education for me.

[Hariharan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although Kushwant singh claims that he is emotional about the book's content, I dont think one can find a more objective account of the background Sikh issues that centres around the separatist ideas of Khalistan, which includes the blackest episode of independent India, "operation blue star". Having grown up reading Kushwant singh jokes, I had picturized him as a funny man. His novel "train to pakistan" would give a drastically opposite view. This book is a reflection of his greatness as an individual, his maturity of thoughts and his honesty in action. When he says that he was once driven from pakistan with nothing and he was facing the same again in delhi in the aftermath of Indira Gandhi's assasination, one cant wonder whether its fair for anyone to suffer so much in his lifetime. Despite so much negative atmosphere around his, the pragmatic optimism that he carries reflected through the pages is infectuous.

[Bhagwan Manesh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last two chapters of his columns writings could have been avoided because the content felt repetitive. The book is really interesting untill that.

[SHARI LAL · Rating 3 out of 5]

a short description about punjab and the people.