NEW DELHI: While Kashmir’s Struggle for independence has stolen the limelight the Sikh Agitation has been relegated to the background thanks to poverty of its leadership.
According to competent observers here, the entire attention of Indian Govt is riveted to Kashmir leaving little time for Punjab which had been left to bureaucrat’s police and the intelligence, the rule of “sifarish” (recommendations) has been taken over by such men as Surjeet of the GPI who could never hope to attain power otherwise.
The Sikh leadership has failed to project any issue in a convincing manner. Neither Khalistan nor Anandpur Sahib Resolution nor autonomy is being projected as a stable Sikh Position. While the Akali Dal (B) inherited some old documents, the Mann Dal has not drafted any constitution of its own, barring occasional press Notes issued by Mann himself.
Not long ago the Mann Dal spokesman had given the impression that the party had no ideological differences with the Badal group. It led to the slow re-emergence of Badal at least on public stages. The situation was sought to be remedied when the Mann group criticized Badal for letting down Sikhs.
Off late, however a small beginning has been made by Mann to criticize the old leadership on policy matters, but issues remain blurred. The kirpan issue has failed to click. Mann, Bimal Khalsa and Mand have not taken oath as MPs. Other MPs took oath during the last session. Latest to take oath without a kirpan is Atinderpal Singh who however is not free to attend the Lok Sabha as he is in judicial custody. Thus the kirpan is an individual issue and not a party issue.
The main thrust of Mann of late has been on ensuring elections to the state assembly. He met VP Singh and met the Govt of India halfway publically condemning what he called anti-social elements and extortionists creating law and order problems.
Newsmen in Chandigarh are of the view that Mann has been Projecting this view to ensure early elections.
Article extracted from this publication >> March 23, 1990
