CHANDIGARH, India: The national executive of Janata Party which met at Delhi on July 9 urged the Union government to show firmness in dealing with extremism in Punjab and to take immediate steps to protect lives and properties of citizens. In a resolution adopted on Punjab situation the Janata Party said that situation also demands for effective steps to stop the migration of minority community and initiate efforts to bring peace and harmony in the State.

Briefing the newsmen about the deliberations of four day meeting of the national executive, Mr. Jaswant Singh Sinha, the general secretary of the party said that consensus in the party was that if a dialogue with All India Sikh Student Federation and Damdami Taksal could bring peace to Punjab which should be held without any delay. Mr. Sinha, however, made it clear that the Janta Party does not support demand of B.J.P. and several other political parties about the deployment of army in the disturbed districts of Punjab, He also ruled out the intervention by the party president, Mr. Chander Shekhar, mediating in the dispute, He blamed the Centre for the ‘worsening law and order situation in the State.

In the resolution, he said that the government which had the primary responsibility of finding a peaceful solution of problems has not played its part effectively. It was hoped that, the gruesome and traumatic experiences that the nation went through during and after the Operation Blue Star would lead to adoption of policy of reconciliation and earnest efforts would be made to create harmony. This hope was belied. The resolution stated that it would-be tragedy to doubt the patriotism and deep commitment to the Sikhs to the harmony in the state. It was the responsibility of every Indian to ensure that legitimate demands of every section of the people were ‘met through peaceful and constitutional means. Their solution regretted that the Punjab accord lay in shambles and the deadlines have not been met. The Commissions that were appointed have proved to be a futile exercise.

Article extracted from this publication >> July 18, 1986