The slogans of Sikh unity in Punjab go hand in hand with Moves towards disruption, traditionally, ordinary Sikhs have been votaries of unity. The Sikhs are at a loss to understand the multiplicity of groups. They believe that disunity is responsible for the misfortunes of the community and that once unity is achieved, their problems will be over. This is perhaps an over-simplification of the issues. It needs to be understood in the first instance that the twin questions of disunity and unity are not confined to Sikh groups alone. There is another party to the issue. It is the Indian government and its agencies. Who have a deep interest in the matter. These agencies command immense resources and put these resources to use to achieve their aims. lt is wrong to believe that the Indian state and its agencies work only for driving a wedge among Sikh groups. Sometimes these agencies work for unity among the Sikh groups. It all depends on the Specific political situation, the balance of forces and the issues involved.
When militants tried to weld Sikh unity under their own hegemony for the achievement of Khalistan, the Indian agencies swung into action to disrupt the unity effort. That is what happened two years ago. But when India saw prospects of Sikhs uniting under the banner of a pro-India group such as the Longowal faction, it worked wholeheartedly towards “Sikh Unity,” That is what happened in 1985. India’s choice of groups as its favorites also depends on what a group’s political stand is.
For instance, if Delhi has to choose between the Rachhpal Singh group and the Longowal group, its choice will be the former. But when the choice is between the Longowal faction and the Badal faction, it will opt for the former. Delhi will have preference for Badal when it comes to a choice between Badal and Tohra. So on and forth.
Fractional Akali groups can bank on India’s support when they range themselves against pro-Khalistan militants. There- fore, India shapes its policy keeping in mind a specific situation.
In today’s specific political context, it is the Badal group which is actively collaborating with India. The group’s leader lets utmost personal security reserved only for very important persons. Badal is India’s best bet at present. No wonder, he talks of operating within the framework of Indian unity. He pleads for Anandpur Sahib Resolution as a slogan. That other leaders and groups are apprehensive of Badal’s intention and plans, is quite clear from the manner in which forts are being made to weaken his leadership. But these efforts wall hot success unless other Sikh groups mobilize Sikhs on political issues rather than talking abstractly of unity. Let them tell the Sikh masses as to why they cannot accept Badal’s leadership. These groups have succeeded in Toping in the acting Jathedar of Akal Takht in bringing about “unity.” The trouble with the Jathedar is that he has failed to teyeal any consistency of approach. He often talks of his non-involvement in non-religious matters but has suddenly announced his interest in Akali unity at Talwandi Sabo on the occasion of Vaisakhi. This kind of approach impinges on the credibility of the high office he occupies. Issues, rather than personalities and groups, should determine the course of Sikh politics. In the absence of this understanding, the unity efforts cannot command any credibility or support.
Article extracted from this publication >> April 15, 1994
