The SGPC President, Mr. Gurcharan Singh Tohra, detained since November 1986, was shifted from Jodhpur to a Canal Rest House at Khalra on the Indo Pakistan border 55 km from Amritsar in March last and from there to Patiala.
Access to him is not difficult if one has the right connections. Only newsmen are debarred from meeting him.
To elicit his views on some basic issues, Chandigarh Daily Trbunes, Amritsar based Principal Correspondent PPS Gill sent a questionnaire to him through the SGPC Secretary, Manjit Singh Calcutta. The answers were dictated to him.
Those who have met him say that Tohra is in fairly good health. His worry is failing eyesight. The long detention has tired him physically but it has not dampened his spirits and he remains politically alert as ever.
Here are his answers to the six questions:
Question 1 — What in your view is the Punjab problem and who is to be blamed?
GST: The Punjab problem is essentially a problem of the Sikhs, who are a national minority. It is not the outcome of a particular happening or development. It is a culmination of broken promises, injustice and betrayal of the Sikhs by the Centre over a long period of time. The Sikhs have reasons to believe that if Punjab is being discriminated against it is because the Sikhs are dominant inhabitants in the State.
More by design than by accident, the Centre has sowed seeds of distrust and discord among the Sikhs as well as the Akalis in an attempt to foist Congress protégés as leaders of the Sikhs.
The key to the Punjab solution lies with the Centre. It should realize that its credibility is very low in the eyes of the Punjabis, There should not be an iota of doubt that the Sikhs believe in the country’s unity and integrity. Punjab should not be used as electoral fodder for partisan political gains.
Question 2 — What is the root cause of terrorism in Punjab and how can it be stemmed?
GST: Terrorism in Punjab is a byproduct of the Government’s wrong policies oppressive rule and unresolved grievances of the people, particularly the Sikhs. It is, in fact, a sum total of denial, betrayal and injustice which has caused harassment and anguish.
The Akalis have always believed in nonviolence and peaceful means of agitation. All “morchas” were conducted very peacefully and in an orderly manner. Only democratic means were adopted to air the grievances.
I strongly believe that it is State terrorism which has led to individual terrorism in Punjab. Both types of terrorism nevertheless are harmful and detrimental to the people. Bullets whoever fires them are no answer.
Question 3 — Why is the Anandpur Shahib Resolution criticized? Is it misunderstood? GST: The Akalis will not talk to any Central Government which considers the Anandpur Sahib Resolution secessionist or antinational. It is not an obstacle in finding a solution to the Punjab problem. It, essentially, is a document which encompasses certain reforms within the constitutional framework for better administration. Its thrust is on decentralization of power, with the Centre retaining the federal functions in respect of defense, foreign affairs, communications and railways and currency. It pleads for real autonomous States.
“Unfortunately this unique concept and combination of double sovereignty is usually misunderstood by the people because of the notion drawn ‘from the conflict between the State and the church in the medieval, Europe.”
Unfortunately the Government media, which usually misinform and the communal press which usually distort the facts have created several misgivings about the resolutions in the minds of the people. We do not have a mass media means to tell the truth.
It is ridiculous that now Rajiv Gandhi compares the resolution with the Muslim League resolution.
Paradoxically the same political parties like the CPI and the BJP (erstwhile Janasaingh) which now speak against the resolution conveniently forgot about its existence while entering into electoral alliances and seat adjustments or sharing power in the State in 1977.
Question 4 — Separating religion from politics is a bumming issue. Why has it irked the Akalis so much? GST: The Akali Dal firmly believes that religion and politics are inseparable, The two are enshrined in the famous concept of double-edged sovereignty “miri and piri” which is symbolized in Akal Takht.
Unfortunately, this unique concept and combination of double sovereignty is usually misunderstood by the people because of the notion drawn from the conflict between the State and the church in the medieval, Europe. In Sikhism however, this notion is not a prototype of that conflict. As such the assimilation of religion and politics should be judged in the context of Sikhism, which does not believe in the concept of divine right theory of the King or that State is absolute power governing the conscience lives and properties of the people.
A minority community fights and survives on the strength of religions and politics to challenge repression and ensure dignified living. The Akali Dal as such is a regional minority political party as well as a “spokesman” of the Sikh corporate (Panth) entity as it represents Sikh aspirations.
Question 5 — The Akalis blame the Centre for eroding credibility and dignity of Sikh institutions and organizations as part of a design. Aren’t the Akalis themselves responsible in some way for such denigration?
GST: There is no denying the fact that the Centre has devalued and denigrated the Sikh institutions and organizations, including Akal Takht and the SGPC. Its aim has always been to capture the Sikh organizations ‘my it be the SGPC or even the Takhts.
The Akalis aim is to reserve such a trend and ensure for the Sikhs a political existence whereby they could protect their institutions and counter the Government’s
false propaganda.
The main task before every Sikh therefore is to remain on guard against the Centre’s clever political machinations and maneuvering. Through the media the Centre has indulged in sustained character assassination of the established Sikh leadership, which has been detained on political ground against all concept of human rights.
Question 6 — What next?
GST: No doubt the Akalis are a divided lot, Even those who were in power till recently are in the queue to regain political power. As is the want of the rulers, the “The Sikhs should unite and fight the Centre’s discriminatory policies. For that strength shall come from “gurbani” and Sikh scriptures, direction from Akal Takht and the rallying point shall be the Golden Temple. There is no room for despondency. A Sikh is a born optimist.”
Opposition parties are being kept divided. The Akalis have been a victim of vested and selfish interests to a degree.
There can still be unity among various factions provided there is a common cause or an accepted programme to achieve the goal Sikh dignity, honor and respect. Only then the Sikhs can be pulled out of the present quagmire.
The Sikhs should unite and fight the Centre’s discriminatory policies. For that strength shall come from “gurbani” and Sikh scriptures, direction from Akal Takht and the rallying point shall be the Golden Temple. There is no room for despondency. A Sikh is a born optimist.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 30, 1989
