NEW DELHI: Indian government appears to have been confused about the real meaning of the formation of Shiromani Akali Dal by half a dozen Akali groups under the argis of Akal Takhat at Amritsar.
Home Minister S.B.Chavan told members in the upper house of Indian Parliament on May 2 that the government was studying the motives behind and the meaning of the development.
A few members of Congress (I) Led by pro-Rajiv Gandhi S. S. Ahluwalia and by certain other opposition members raised the question and on expressed their concern about the demand for a Sikh state.
The home minister assured the members that the government would not allow any secessionist activity or demand for a separate Sikh state. Nevertheless the minister said he was still studying the development.
His possible motive behind the formation of the new party Chavan col i could be the postponement of the proposed S.G.P.C. elections had not been held for 12 years. The minister’s statement indicates that the government would not like to hold the SGPC poll without ensuring the achievement of the intended purpose.
It is quite obvious that the SGPC election proposal had been mooted by the government on the basis of its assessment that such a plan would enhance the credibility of the Badal group. But now the government will have to review the position. If it finds the going difficult for Badal then it will not hold the SGPC election for the present.
The reason why the government is in two minds is that while some of the groups joining the new Dal have been Delhi’s trustworthy friends others have yet to show these cards.
Meanwhile a staff writer of The Pioneer noted that the Akali groups have hands in the post-militancy situation. They had earlier raised the demand for Khalistan and have now backed the idea of a Sikh region within India and have accepted the Indian constitution although they want it amended.
Article extracted from this publication >> May 6, 1994
