THERE are reports emanating from New Delhi that the Modi Government is seriously thinking of reintroducing the notorious black list of Non-Resident Indians and others who it believes are supporting and/or encouraging those who are responsible for violence and illegal activities in the state of Punjab all in the name of Khalistan.

The then-Congress government had come up with the black list that caused a lot of conflict and bitterness. The Modi Government did away with the list in an act of reconciliation. But now it feels it may have no choice but to bring it back, though it hasn’t made up its mind as yet.

The Indian Government points to the increasing number of arrests the state police and central paramilitary forces have been making in Punjab of people indulging in illegal activities including assassinations and the seizure of guns, ammunition, explosive devices, drugs and cash. Almost every week there are reports of drones carrying such items being shot down or tracked down near the India-Pakistan border.

The so-called criminal elements are all allegedly receiving aid from Pakistan’s intelligence service and Non-Resident Indians in various countries, including Canada. The government feels that foreign countries are not doing enough to stop such Non-Resident Indians from financing terrorist and illegal activities in Punjab.

The Indian Government also believes that because it did away with the black list, many Non-Resident Indians as well students from Punjab studying abroad feel they can indulge in activities that the government alleges are anti-India, though others insist that they are a part of democracy and freedom of speech.

However, any move to bring back the black list is bound to be controversial.