Amarinder releases book on Khushwant Singh

Congress leader Amarinder Singh today recalled the crucial role played by noted author and journalist Khushwant Singh in defusing tension in Punjab after Operation Blue Star.
The Punjab chief minister was in the national capital to release a book on the popular author titled 'Khushwant Singh: In Wisdom and in Jest'.
The book is co-authored by Vijay Narain Shankar and Onkar Singh.
Amarinder recounted several interactions with Khushwant and said a general feeling of bitterness prevailed in Punjab post-Operation Blue Star in 1984.
A team was appointed to bring down tempers with Khushwant Singh being a prominent member of it, he said.

The Congress leader said the celebrated author believed in truth and wrote it, adding that his books would live in the hearts and minds of people.
In response to a question on Khushwant's decision to support the imposition of Emergency and sterilisation programme by the then Indira Gandhi government, Amarinder said one could agree or disagree with the methods adopted at that time, but the fact is that population is a matter of serious concern.
The Punjab chief minister was joined by former Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and former Attorney General Soli Sorabjee.