Harcharan Singh Brar has been made chief minister of Punjab after Beant Singh’s death at the hands of Babbar Khalsa International, There is a vast differed in the thinking of the two on a variety of issues affecting Punjab. While Beant Singh subscribed to the view that the Punjab problem was merely one of maintaining law ‘and order, Brar stated publicly ‘on assuming his new office that the problem in the state is one of politics. It was Beant Singh’s stand that no problems in Punjab could arise if force was used against the political rebels seeking a separate state of Khalistan, Brar, on the other hand, thinks that redress of Sikh grievances alone can bring about permanent peace.
The new chief minister also disfavored Beant Singh’s policy of confrontation. He did not elaborate but presumably he thinks that needless nagging of Akalis, should be avoided and that they should be given freedom to carry on with normal political activity. Beant Singh, on the other hand, made it a point almost daily to issue strongly worded statements against the Akalis. Even normal rallies planned by Akali Dal were virtually banned during Beant Singh’s tenure. Beant Singh’s strategy made it appear to Hindus that he was a fighter against the Akalis, In fact, most Hindus in Punjab relished Beant Singh’s tirades against the Akalis. ‘The truth of the matter is that it was not Beant Singh, whose writ ran in Punjab, so will be the case with Brar. The Punjab policy is framed in Delhi and in this, the key role is played by the Indian central government through the prime minister’s house. A helping hand is given by Hindu officers from Punjab, the security forces and the intelligence agencies. Chief Ministers in Punjab wittingly or unwittingly own up and legitimatize the central strategy and policies. Ordinary Sikhs are led to believe that the Sikh chief ministers or director generals of police repress them on their own. The reality, however, is that chief ministers or director generals merely provide cover to DE communalize the Sikh reaction. Notwithstanding this fundamental promise of India’s Punjab policy, it does not mean that there are no differences in the approaches and styles of working of the two chief ministers. Brar’s statements and style of politics indicate that there will be more freedoms and lesser curbs on political activities of Akali Dal and other political groupings. There will be a lesser amount of political corruption. Whatever Brar may say, he is in no position to reduce corruption from among legislators, others politically as well as from the bureaucracy. Even the chief minister may be in need of finances to fight the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. What will happen to the interstate issues, particularly the S.Y.L.? Despite Jagmeet Singh Brar’s question as to why he is silent on the issue, the chief minister has not uttered a word on the water issue. The answer is that presumably the Indian prime minister made Brar’s silence a precondition to confirm him in his post. It is a noteworthy fact that Rao had beamed adequate signals even when Beant Singh’s body had not been cremated that Indian central government was not backtracking on its support to Haryana in its unconstitutional claims to Punjab river water. Rao had come to Chandigarh accompanied by none else than Bhajan Lal. The two made a big show of their presence at Beant Singh’s residence while Brar was left out in the cold. Later, in a surprising move, Brar’s wife met Bhajan Lal, a meeting that paved the way for Brar’s confirmation as chief minister by the Congress (I) Legislature Party. In any case, Brar’s silence will save Haryana chief minister from embarrassment. It is unlikely that Brar will budge on the water issue mores as both Punjab and Haryana are going to the poll early next year. The concessions to Haryana, if any, are more likely to be made by an Akali Dal government than the government headed by Brar or perhaps any other chief minister of that party. Brar will continue to be under Delhi’s pressure on other counts as well. He has not been nominated President of the ruling Congress (I) party, a post held until his death by Beant Singh. Delhi is trying to use Brar to cure the Sikh peasantry into voting for the Congress (I). At the same time, it is keen on projecting continuance of the policies followed by the Punjab government during Beant Singh’s time evidently, to appease Hindus of Punjab. Brar is expected to do a tightrope walk in Punjab.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 6, 1995
