June 201991 has been ‘fixed’ to hold the election in Punjab. Not many believe that the election would really be held. Rajiv Gandhi asserts that if he assumes power he would review the decision. Other Hindu-dominated parties and upper caste Hindu politicians are giving an impression that they are doing Sikhs favor by holding the election. Many Sikh leaders reciprocate by holding secret parleys with the ruling group to “gain” election and in return to offer the none-too-secret assurance of support to Shekhar in his post-poll maneuvers.
A lively controversy has been kicked up. The influential Panthic Committee of Dr Sohan Singh announced its dissociation with the election while the one associated with Baba Manochahal has seized the opportunity to demonstrate the Sikh support to the cause of Khalistan. The Bhai Usmanwala and Bhai Zaffarwal committees have made known their reservations about the election to promote the Panthic cause. At the other end of the political spectrum Akali groups have not concealed their glee over the “democratic process” being revived. However it is true that no Akali leader is planning to contest himself Mann Badal Barnala and others have kept out of the race They have set up their own candidates The AISSF of Bhai Maniit Singh shows promise of doing well.
Should elections be contested after the way Delhi has behaved with Sikhs during the past decade?. The reply inevitably is that no Sikh should join the electoral farce. Unfortunately Sikhs remain politically divided. Sikhs belong to a multi-class society unlike Kashmiris or Assamese. A variety of vested interests among them pull in different directions. Worse the Akalis failed to educate Sikhs about their destined place in world politics. Sant Bhindranwale made a start but he had little time at his disposal. The Panthic committees did their best but they had few resources.
Any call for non-participation in the electoral process is bound to fail as in 1985. Such a call may send a wrong signal that most Sikhs do not owe allegiance to Khalistan and that they are on the side of unity and integrity of India. This is really contrary to the ground reality Most Sikhs want Khalistan. What is lacking is an over ground program at the mass level to supplement the militant movement. This program could be among other things an economic boycott of the India and making Punjab self-sufficient in all economic spheres. The theft of Punjab’s river water must start in terms of the Indian Constitution itself.
This lack of program Jed Akalis and pseudo-militants to parade their “support” for militants and to maintain contacts with Delhi to give a misleading impression that they are “backing” Khalistan. These vested interests praised this or that ruler as a great sympathizer of Sikhs In turn they struck secret deals to deliver a death blow to the Sikh cause.
Dr Sohan Singh must give a well thought out overground program. This program will eventually eclipse the farce of elections enacted from time to time. In any case there will be no takers for the Delhi inspired bargains in the event of such a program being unfolded.
An electoral boycott may be counter-productive. But it is also hard to appreciate the optimism of Baba Manochahal. His claim that Bhai Manjit Singh if elected will follow his program is far too unrealistic and his political vigilance in the recent past is not denied. But the Frankenstien of vested interests will first ensure that Baba Manochahal and his committee members are eliminated. He is well advised to be careful about secret deals.
Will the new “Panthic government” stop all flow of river waters to other states and take effective steps to punish the 100 odd police officers for butchering thousands of Sikh youths before passing the cherished resolution on Khalistan? Our posers do not imply our support to the idea of dissociation and political renunciation. What we are concerned is the need for caution in dealing with neo Akalis.
Article extracted from this publication >> May 3, 1991
