‘Through a clever policy of prevarication, Indian government ha: conspired to dilute Punjab crisis by once again treating it as a purely law and order situation. Rajiv Gandhi seems anxious to vindicate the posture of his mother, late Indira Gandhi, who obstinately refused to accept the reality and kept harping that it was not a political problem. Her obstinacy left no option for her but to resort to foolish adventurism in ordering a full-fledged army attack on the Golden Temple, Her ill-conceived action resulted in complete alienation o! ‘Sikhs and made the problem all the more intractable.
After initially making some halfhearted reconciliatory gestures Rajiv Gandhi has gradually reverted to his mother’s square one and has begun to speak her language. While briefing the press Punjab Police Chief, Mr. J.F. Ribeiro unwittingly revealed as to how Rajiv Gandhi had catalogued the Punjab problem in his scheme o priorities when he said, “It is a warlike situation and my men are doing a fine job”. The comment sounds like a dispatch from the battlefront. Evidently, the Sikhs are considered “enemies” and Rajiv is happy over “his men” doing a satisfactory job of eliminating Sikh youths.
Rajiv Gandhi had signed the Accord and ordered elections in Punjab simply to make the outside world believe in his democratic pretensions. He allowed the Akali Dal led by his own men to win the elections by fielding weak and unknown candidates. But he was not feeling quite comfortable with the kind of majority that Akalis gained in the Assembly. He has learnt not to trust a Sikh, however, docile and slavish he might appear. To destroy the solid Akal majority, therefore, became his first priority. Akalis must be made to split, lest they should do something uncomfortable like introducing Anandpur Sahib Resolution as a government bill in the legislative house. To achieve this objective he forced Barnala to send paramilitary troops into the Golden Temple. His purpose was to justify Operation Bluestar, damage Barnala’s credibility, and bring about split in the Akali Dal through his planted men like Amarinder Singh
It was Amarinder Singh who first raised the banner of revolt against Barnala followed by Sukhjinder Singh, Ravi Inder Singh and Badal. The split left Barnala at the mercy of Congress (I) and now Rajiv is ruling Punjab by proxy. After successfully playing his game in Punjab, he has now repeated the performance in Jammu and Kashmir.
It is a game that might ensure temporary political gains as did the antiSikh riots that brought rich dividends to Rajiv in the form of an unprecedented majority in the Parliament. But it has also thoroughly ‘exposed the essentially communal character of the majority community and blasted the carefully contrived edifice of secularism to pieces. The long term effects of the riots are only beginning to surface as reflected the assassination attempt on the Prime Minister. Sikh psyche is bruised beyond recognition and ill-advised policies are furthering slighting their festering wounds. Rajiv’s advisors need to study Sikh history, Sikh traditions and Sikh tenacity in defending their faith and honour. ‘They are committing the folly of looking at Sikhs through the managerial periscopes and ‘equating them with Assamese, Nagas, and Mizos.
Delhi believes that by continuing to provoke an atmosphere of violence, it can evade the political issues, By insisting on the precondition of the return of normalcy, it can continue putting the cart before the horse, But indefinite postponement is likely to prove counterproductive and can even be dangerous as it can lead to total polarisation and permanent hostilities. Time is fast running out for stooges like Barnala and Farooq and the blood of the martyrs is bound to reassert itself in the veins of the beleaguered youth. Its time Rajiv and Ribeiro realize and seek political settlement of political issues rather than playing hide and seek through “law and order” hoax.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 21, 1986
