Maria Puri

Reading Between the Lines

Introduction

Reading between the lines. Explore Dalip Kaur Tiwana's novel, *The Earth Asks the Sky*, analyzing dissent and violence in Punjab. A literary study of Operation Bluestar, Indira Gandhi's assassination, and anti-Sikh riots.

Abstract

A decades long attempt by the central government to control dissent in Punjab culminated in a military operation codenamed Bluestar (June 1984). Overtly aimed at flushing militants from the Golden Temple, it led to the desecration of the sacred place by the army and an unwarranted bloodshed, soon to be followed by the assassination of Indira Gandhi (31 October 1984), anti-Sikh riots, an unprecedented growth of militancy in Punjab and division of Punjabi society along religious lines. Punjabi literature addressed the matter, trying to make sense of the traumatic event and its aftermath. Dalip Kaur Tiwana (1935–2020), too, provided, by way of her novel, Jimī ̃ puchai āsmān / The Earth Asks the Sky (1986), a fictionalised witness account informed by her experience as university teacher whose students find themselves drawn into the vortex of political exigencies. A study of her reflections on dissent and violence in this context will constitute the subject matter of this paper.

Review

The paper, titled "Reading Between the Lines," presents a compelling and timely exploration of the traumatic events of 1984 in Punjab through a literary lens. The abstract effectively situates the study within a significant historical context, beginning with the central government's efforts to control dissent, leading to Operation Bluestar, and its devastating aftermath including Indira Gandhi's assassination, anti-Sikh riots, and societal division. By focusing on Dalip Kaur Tiwana's novel, *Jimī ̃ puchai āsmān / The Earth Asks the Sky*, the paper promises a vital contribution to understanding how literature processes and makes sense of profound national trauma. A significant strength of this proposed paper lies in its well-articulated historical background, which expertly frames the necessity and relevance of the literary analysis. The abstract clearly identifies Tiwana's novel as a "fictionalised witness account," informed by her unique experience as a university teacher whose students were directly affected by the political turmoil. This specific focus offers a promising avenue for examining the human cost and psychological impact of dissent and violence from a grounded, personal perspective. The exploration of "reflections on dissent and violence" within this context is particularly valuable, as it positions the paper to shed light on how art can critically engage with, and interpret, the complex realities of political exigencies. While the abstract is commendably clear in its scope and subject matter, a minor suggestion for further enhancement could be to briefly hint at the specific analytical approach or theoretical framework that will guide the study of Tiwana's reflections. For instance, will the paper employ a postcolonial, trauma theory, or feminist critical lens? Nonetheless, the paper's objective—to delve into a pivotal work of Punjabi literature in response to a defining historical moment—is both ambitious and important. It holds considerable potential to offer fresh insights into the role of literature in memory-making and critical engagement with socio-political upheavals, making it a valuable addition to both literary scholarship and studies of historical trauma.

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