CHANDIGARH: Almost all major Sikh groups are expected to respond to the call for a boycott of India organized election in Punjab issued separately by Panthic committee associated with Dr Sohan Singh and others and the Babbar Khalsa International.

‘The Indian government evidently finally decided to hold the long delayed election to the 117member Punjab Assembly and 13 members to represent Punjab in the Lok Sabha and an announcement to that effect was made by Prime Minister Narasimha Rao at a meeting of the national integration council at Delhi on December 31. The election, according to the plan, will be completed by mi February.

Significantly, India announced the poll program when it became clear that all ‘main Akali groups are bent on boycotting it, The Akali Dal (Mann) which had been dragging feet on the issue for quite some time finally opted for the boycott ‘S.S.Mann in a statement issued by him on the eve of the national integration Council meeting stated that his group would not field candidates unless the election is organized under the auspices of United Nations.

‘The Akali Dal (Badal) leader Parkash Singh Badal had made it clear a few days ‘ago that he would not contest the election if Mann abstains from putting up candidates for his party. Another Akali group headed by Baba Joginder Singh, too, made it known that it would not join the electoral fray. The Babbar Akali Dal, it may be recalled, had been sticking to the boycott proposal for quite some time, tis doubtful whether the other splinter Akali group comprising Amarinder Singh and Surjit Singh Barnala would put up candidates considering poor support among Sikhs they enjoyed. In the last election, this group had forfeited the security deposits of all its candidates.

 

Yet another influential factor in Punjab politics is the Bharti Kisan Union, Both its wings are advocating a boycott of the poll. While the Punjab Human Rights Organization is strictly not in favour of boycotting the election, its members are ‘barred from contesting the election on the ground that the organization is nonparty in character. But PHRO activists admit that the election in the present situation is an exercise in futility. They hold that no government in Punjab elected or nominated, can deliver the goods in the present constitutional setup. Besides, PHRO also feels that a government, even if elected through popular ‘vote, would collapse soon because the state’s exchequer is empty.

As such an overwhelming opinion in Punjab from among Sikh side is in favour of boycotting the election to record the community’s alienation with the Indian state and its policy of suppression.

‘The shift in Akali stand in favour of boycott is somewhat surprising. These groups are not in favour of any genuine change in the constitutional structure, ‘What will they do after the poll boycott by them? They appear to be marking time. The boycott decision was taken by them as result of the behind the scenes militant campaign. Most Akali groups are afraid of facing militant wrath, The militants had, according to reports, obtained written assurances from almost all ‘main group leaders that they would boycott the election.

Militants calculation is that the Panthic committee associated with Baba Gurbachan Singh Manochahal,t00, will opt for the boycott owing other growing differences with Bhai Manjit Singh whose AISSF tall intents and purposes had been designated as the political wing of the Manochahalled Panthic committee ‘on the eve of the abortive election program of last year.

‘Thus, it is expected that more than 70% electorate will not exercise their right to cast votes. Those who are likely to cast votes will be urban Hindus and a section of Dalit’s. Sikhs account for about 62% of Punjab’s population.

‘Meanwhile Hindu fundamentalists R.S.S. is pressing the two main Hindu parties, the Congress (I) and the B.J.P., to join hands at least in the context of Punjab election “to serve the national interest”.

Article extracted from this publication >> January 10, 1992