# VP Singh warned of separatism in Kashmir, Punjab, Assam in 1990 2026-08-08T13:46:19+00:00 | Politics | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Hindustan Times has revisited former prime minister V.P. Singh's Independence Day speech from the Red Fort in 1990. The defining theme of the address was social justice and the political representation of historically disadvantaged communities. Singh defended his government's decision to implement the Mandal Commission recommendations, including 27% reservation in central government jobs for socially and educationally backward classes. In the same speech, Singh issued a warning about separatism in Kashmir, Punjab, and Assam. The article is part of a series revisiting iconic Independence Day addresses by India's prime ministers. ## Coverage - hindustantimes.com Tags: Independence Day speech, Kashmir, Mandal commission, Punjab, separatism, V.P. Singh Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/vp-singh-warned-of-separatism-in-kashmir-punjab-assam-in-1990/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/vp-singh-warned-of-separatism-in-kashmir-punjab-assam-in-1990/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.