Chandigarh, December 15, 2019: Ripudaman Singh Malik, acquitted as accused in the bombing of Air India Flight 182 in which 329 people perished, says Khalistan has no place in Punjab.
Speaking to an Indian TV news channel Mr Malik said ,"if Khalistan is in Pakistan that i don't know because I have not been there but i spent two weeks in Punjab ,there is no Khalistan in Punjab ."
He also brushed aside Referendum 2020 and sad , "What is the use of conducting referendum in countries like USA, Canada and UK? I am not in its favour. It will have no effect if it is not conducted in Punjab. It should be at place where the people are affected , so i have nothing to do with Referendum -2020."
Malik said that being a Sikh ,he thanked governments of Pakistan and India for construction of Kartarpur Corridor and not only the Pakistan government has build it. He wished that both countries become friends as this will usher in prosperity for the people of the region. I have not been to Pakistan , I don't know much the politics between India and Pakistan but the relations of both countries should have like the relations between USA and Canada.
When asked about reopening of the cases related to the attack on the Golden Temple by armed forces in 1984 and anti-Sikh massacre, Malik said, “It was a sad time for the Sikhs and caused lot of pain. But 35 years have passed and we should move on but I would be happy if the Modi government apologises for what happened.”
He added that all the Sikh prisoners who are still in jail serving life terms should be given parole and allowed to visit their families.
Talking about himself Malik said , " I know my actions in past have hurt people but I have served my time and have now been let out on parole. Those who have served time and owned up to their actions must be left alone. "
He visited India recently after a gap of 25 years after Modi government scrapped the Sikh blacklist.
Click at the link to watch News 18 link for Malik's interview