Page "Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale" Paragraph 7

The audio and video archives of his speeches would reveal a very common saying of his " Sikhs are a distinct nation.

" or " Sikh ik vakhri qaum hai.

" and he never was reported to have demanded for a nation-state but Bhindranwale is widely perceived to be a supporter of the creation of a Sikh majority state of Khalistan.

In a BBC interview, he stated that if the government agreed to the creation of such a state, he would not refuse.

Other quotes attributed to Bhindranwale on Khalistan include " we are not in favour of Khalistan nor are we against it ".

Responding to the formation of Khalistan he is quoted as saying, " I don't oppose it nor do I support it.

We are silent.

However, one thing is definite that if this time the Queen of India does give it to us, we shall certainly take it.

We won't reject it.

We shall not repeat the mistake of 1947.

As yet, we do not ask for it.

It is Indira Gandhi's business and not mine, nor Longowal's, nor of any other of our leaders.

It is Indira's business.

Indira should tell us whether she wants to keep us in Hindustan or not.

We like to live together, we like to live in India.

" To which he added, " if the Indian Government invaded the Darbar Sahib complex, the foundation for an independent Sikh state will have been laid.

" The BBC reported that he was daring law enforcement to react to his actions of fortifying the Golden Temple in order to bolster support.