CHANDIGARH: India’s home minister S.B.Chavan rushed to the Punjab capital last week to announce that Akali groups had joined the Pakistan militant nexus to disrupt elections in the state.

This new twist to the Akali boycott of the Punjab election is viewed by observers here as a somewhat belated effort injects communalism in the election.

Only a few days ago, Sukhdev Singh Dhindoa, an Akali Dal (Badal) spokesman, had issued an appeal to Punjab Hindus to join the election boycott with the Sikhs. If they did that, he said, Sikhs would forget about their past mistake of returning Hindi as their mother tongue to create problems before the state. The appeal was evidently having its impact as many Hindus were also turning lukewarm to the election. To turn the tide, Chavan came to Chandigarh apparently discuss law and order but really to “interact” with the Press to give new dimension to the centers handling, of the pre poll scenario. Not to be left behind, BJP. Leader Lal Krishan Advani, too, came to Chandigarh to tell the Press that Pakistan was behind the Akali boycott. It was obvious from Chavan sand Advani statements that a nexus between Congress (I) and the B.J.P was complete as both want Punjabi Hindus to act Indian Hindus rather than Punjabi Hindus. It was an appeal made to the Hindus torture against Pakistan and votes enthusiastically in the election and not join hands with traitor Akalis.

Further grist to the communal mill was added by Delhi when it decided to print ballot papers for the February 19 election in both Punjabi and Hindi. It is the first time that Hindi is being brought into the picture to resurrect old wounds.

In addition, Delhi drafted Haryana chief minister Bhajan Lal to campaign for Congress (I) in Punjab. He went to the Ferozepur area and addressed a few meetings in the Abohar and Familka villages under very tight security. This gesture, too, has its own meaning. Bhajan is a symbol of enmity towards Sikhs and standing provocation to the Sikh community.

All these measures on the eve of the election according to observe are intent ended to foment communal trouble and to incite Hindus to come out in strength for casting their votes.

Article extracted from this publication >> February 28, 1992