NEW DELHI: A number of Sikh Organizations have demanded that elections in Punjab be advanced SO that the next Central government does not stall the democratic Process in the state. They have decided not to vote for the Congress (I) in the forthcoming elections as the Congress (I) president Mr Rajiv Gandhi had said the Party would “review” the decision on holding elections in Punjab if the party was voted to power. Criticizing the Congress (I) for these leaders of these organizations said at a press conference here on Friday that the situation in Punjab was conducive to hold elections and these should be held before June 5. They stressed that the restoration of democratic Process in Punjab was a “must” for peace and normalcy in the State. The organizations are yet to decide on issuing an appeal to the Sikhs to vote for any particular party but have ruled out support to the Congress (I).

Among those present at the press conference were Li Gen J.S.Aurora (retd) coordinator governing council Sikh Forum Justice R.S. Narula member governing council Sikh Forum Dr. Jaspal Singh general secretary Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee Jathedar Harcharan Singh Delhi Sikh Front. Mr Mohinder Singh Oberoi President Shrimoni Akali Dal (Delhi state) Mr Avtar Singh Hit Akali Dal (Badal) and Mr Darshan Singh Bhatia President All India Sikh Conference.

Gen Aurora said that the Congress (I) was “sadly mistaken” if it was of the view that the Sikhs would forget the role of some if its members in instigating the 1984 carnage. The nomination of its candidates particularly that of Mr Sajjan Kumar from Outer Delhi constituency was tantamount to rubbing salt over the wounds of the Sikhs.

While expressing appreciation for the “courage an persistence” of the Prime Minister Mr Chandra Shekhar Gen Aurora said that the Municipal Corporation elections had proved that the people were keen to have polls. He said that the Congress (I) was attempting to “malign the entire Sikh community” by giving the impression that it was not “fit to vote”.

He warned that the situation in the state would worsen if elections were stalled by the next government He added that the organizations would meet the Chief Election Commission to press advancing the elections in Punjab. Justice Narula said that the nomination of Congress (I) candidates who were involved in the 1984 riots was “a slap on our face”. Double standards had been adopted while dealing with the guilty of the riots.

Stressing that the Election Commission had the powers to advance the elections Justice Narula said that the requirement of three weeks from the withdrawal of nominations to the date of election would be fulfilled even if the elections were held on to June 5. He pointed out that the 1989 elections in the state as well as the recent civic polls had been peaceful and had exposed the “misconceived and falsely propagated myth” that militants could influence elections in the state.

Article extracted from this publication >> May 17, 1991