by: Gurdarshan Singh Dhillon, Punjab University
The present Congress regime has neither the inclination nor the will to find a political solution in a ‘Spirit of justice, statesmanship and farsightedness, In the beginning the Chief plank on which S.Beant Singh, the Punjab Chief Minister, Sought to build his image was that he would firsttackle militancy and then try 10 resolve the water issue On fresh lines, invalidating all the Awards 1976, Agreements (1981) of Accords (1985) signed since 1966. He repeatedly’ asserted that he would not allow the Completion of the SYL Canal till then. Home Minister S.B.Chavan also Gave assurance about a package on Punjab. But the Government’s volt face soon became apparent, When the Home Minister categorically Stated that he had no package in mind. The Chief Minister announcing the merger formula to ‘annul the formation of Punjabi Speak my state and gave a green signal for the construction of the SYL Canal, taking no cognizance Of the vital economic interests of the State. Facts and realities do not vanish by our ignoring them or covering them up through polished platitudes. They have away of emerging in unexpected ways. Forces undreamt and unexpected are suddenly let loose by providence that watches over the affairs of men and ultimately re Stores justice,
Militancy is just a symptom and not the disease itself, The situation can be redeemed by curing the disease, Justice cannot be ne gated for long. Demands that are politically and morally irresoluble cannot be called law and order issues. While the police chief, breathing fire and fury, counts the daily toll, and the Chief Minister reaps the dividends, even though short term, the vast sections of the people are seething with anger and anguish, The Prime Minister with his sphinx like silence seems 10 be 100 happy to leave the reins of political power in the state in the hands of a stooge, though un representative, government. The lesson to be learned in Punjab is Don’t be misled by the surface calm, Wide spread allocation, massive resentment, ever increasing allegations of excesses, tortures, arbitrary arrests, fake on counters and human rights violations held out ominous portents. In the absence of a political initiative, the State could be in for yet another disaster.
Article extracted from this publication >> August 27, 1993
