CHANDIGARH: Confusion caused by the contradictory statements on the reservation issue on the one hand and the appointment of Jathedar of Akal Takhat on the other has weakened the hold of the Panthic Committee on Punjab, political observers here feel.
The Panthic Committee initially stated that it favoured reservation for backward castes (it in itself offered no great alternative to the real salvation of the Dalits and backward castes), it would not tolerate any upper caste violence against them in Punjab. However, later the committee diluted the stand to become a silent spectator merely asking the Dalit and backward communities to take up arms and join the Khalistan movement to seek their liberation. The committee made it a point to mention that Sikhism did not believe in casteism.
The Dalits and backward communities have not been impressed as casteism is a reality even among Sikhs, which cannot be wished away by merely stating the well-known fundamentals of the Sikh faith. Initially, Dalits had started praising and appreciating the Panthic Committee’s stand, They viewed the panthic committee as a savour of the Dalits and other backward communities in Punjab. For about a week the antiMandal agitation did not raise its head and Punjab alone was free from anti Dalit violence engineered by upper casts students all over north India. This perception underwent a change with the watering down of the committee’s stand. The Dalits and other weaker sections were disheartened
Similarly, the controversy on the Akal Takhat post created considerable confusion with the Panthic Committee and the other associate organisations favouring Major General Narinder Singh (Retired) but others such as Damdami Taksal and Panthic Committee (Zaffarwal) and Panthic Committee (Usman group) opposing him. Eyen G.S, Tohra refused to support Narinder Singh on the ground that the retired general’s sacrifice was too small as compared to Bhai Ranjit Singh’s who was named Takhat jathedar, by the S.G.P.C.
On the first issue, according to political observers, the Panthic Committee failed to see the impact on the realignment of forces in Punjab with reservation being the key subject. It was thought to be an ideal Opportunity to win over the Dalits and backward communities to the Sikh side making it possible for them to come out of the Brahmanic fold.
It is simply not possible for Dalits to cross a specific stage of political consciousness and to launch an armed struggle merely on the advice of sincere friends.
The Dalits and backward communities are not geographically well placed to go in for the kind of struggle suggested by the panthic committee, Their plight is similar to that of Muslims, Sikhs, Christians and other sections living within Indian hinterland unlike the Punjab Sikhs, Kashmir Muslims and Northeastern Christians. Whatever armed struggle has been launched by Dalits within Punjab, it has degenerated into campaign for extortions in the absence of corresponding political consciousness of the required level.
It is well known that the main source of political awareness among Dalits has been govt services and not through the other organisations of rural poor. Thus the reservation issue is not an end in itself but a means to an end. The Dalits own experience confirms this reality. Most Dalit leaders are former govt servants. Any opposition to the Dalits availing of reservation facility clearly amounts to standing in the way of their attaining political awareness. That is precisely what the Panthic Committee did on a queer advice, according to observers.
Incidentally, when in 1950 Sikh Dalits were denied reservation facility, the Brahms in dominated Central Government had forwarded the argument that Sikhism did not believe in casteism. It is the same very argument now the Panthic Committee gives. Yet, the mature Sikh leaders had to struggle hard to include Dalits among the scheduled castes eventually to save them from being gobbled up by Brahmanism.
Takhat jathedar without spelling out the scope of open operations, if possible. Even the choice leaves something to be desired because the person concerned remains a govt of India pensioner even if his failure to resign the Army job at any time after the struggle started in 1978 is overlooked. Even now close relations of the general are serving the Indian Army “with great distinction”. Not many are even otherwise impressed by the candidate’s contribution to political thought or religious attainments.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 12, 1990
