Chandigarh: Punjab government has arrested 200 workers of the All India Sikh Students Federation in an effort to defeat their declared aim of undertaking the task of dismantling and re-constructing the Akal ‘Takht from January 26. Elaborate security arrangements have been made throughout the state to stop people from going to participate in the Kar Sewa sponsored by the Damdami Taksaal and AISSF.
There is considerable’ tensions within the Golden Temple. AISSF and Dam Dami Taksaal followers have full control over the complex and S.G.P.C and Akali Dal leaders are conspicuous by their absence. The complex is surrounded by Police and Para military forces. ‘They are not permitting people to go into the Golden Temple.
Meanwhile Sikh masses have been feeling disenchanted with the Barnala Government. Political conferences organized by the Akali Dal at various places have drawn negligible response, At Fatehgarh Sahib hardly 500 persons attended the Akali Dal organized function held to commemorate Sahibzadas martyrdom whereas Damdami Taksaal and AISSF function there was attended by more than 40,000 persons despite a very rough weather. At the Maghi Mela in Muktsar Akali Dal conference was so poorly attended that Parkash Singh Badal stayed back at some friends house rather than addressing so thin an assembly. On the contrary AISSF conference there was attended by over 3 Lakh people. These conferences serve as the barometer of Sikh opinion and the turnout there is a clear indicator of a party’s popularity. Punjab government’s bungling over the issue of the release of Sikh youths even after a Bains Commission’s recommendation and its failure to get justice for the Army deserters has put it in a very awkward situation. Besides the suspected ‘complicity of Barnala and Balwant Singh in surrendering Punjab interests is recoiling on its popularity.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 24, 1986
