Punjab: at the crossroads again
by Hari Jaisingh

Punjab is once again passing through a serious crisis — a crisis which is reminiscent of certain dark shadows of the eighties. Not that we should over-react and take an alarmist view of the present uneasy situation. All the same, the currents, under-currents and cross-currents of the politico-religious tussles involving Mr G. S. Tohra and Bhai Ranjit Singh on one side and Mr Parkash Singh Badal and his supporters, among them a majority of SGPC members, on the other, cannot be overlooked or made light of. The game is political but the means applied are wrapped in provocative religious utterances.

Public memory is proverbially short, but those at the helm of Punjab affairs must not forget what the people of the state had gone through during the days of militancy. Some of the main actors then are the same as in the current tug-of-war. They know the price the people had to pay for the rule of the gun and senseless violence which followed brinkmanship.

Mr Tohra is, of course, a pastmaster in political oneupmanship. He has dominated Punjab's politico-religious scene for three decades. By pursuing his goals and targets, he, wittingly or unwittingly, appears to be pushing Punjab back on a turbulent path which the people have so decisively rejected. In Bhai Ranjit Singh, he has found a convenient supporter. What is disturbing is that the Jathedar of Akal Takht has begun to talk in a language which could threaten peace and tranquillity in the state. As it is, it has disturbed the much-needed panthic unity. Akal Takht has a certain "maryada" which should guide every act of the faithful. Sikhism symbolises the best of human values. The message of the Gurus is pure and ought to be the sole guide of every follower of the faith. The basic message of the Panth must not be allowed to get blurred in the pursuit of personal and sectarian ambitions.

Mr Parkash Singh Badal represents the moderate forces in Punjab. Despite his certain administrative and political flaws, the people look up to him for fulfilling the promises he has made. His detractors may have reservations about his handling of men, matters and issues, but the fact remains that in popular perception he is seen as the best hope for Punjab as The Tribune's extensive surveys show. What he often seems to lack is dynamism and drive to lead the state decisively and effectively without losing time in chasing the shadows.

Everything has to be tackled as a matter of conviction. This means those wedded to peace, prosperity, development, communal harmony and brotherhood in Punjab have to stand up and be counted. Punjab is not up for auction and for disruptionists and extremists to thrive in an atmosphere of uncertainty and instability. Fortunately, the Congress, under Capt Amarinder Singh, has been conducting itself with dignity. He, too, realises the negative facets of today's competitive politics of the Akalis which carries within it seeds of disharmony. We must not allow destructive and disruptionist forces to get the upper hand in this sensitive border state. What is at stake is the peace in and the honour of the state which must not be allowed to be disrupted and sullied by vested interests at home and abroad, who, all the while, look for an opportunity to fish in troubled waters. It may be easy to ride a tiger but it is never that easy to get off its back! It is equally easy to let the genie out of the bottle, but what if it refuses to go back into its earlier abode?

There is no shame in retracing one's false steps in time. It will be seen as an act of statesmanship and spiritual daring. The current trouble in the state will ease if the basis of our Constitution and the Gurus' message of universal love, brotherhood, compassion, service and harmony become the bedrock of policies and practices of political and religious leaders. Punjab is not for burning. Nor is it to be allowed to become a plaything in the hands of vested interests and fundamentalist forces. The words of Guru Gobind Singh are worth remembering in this context: “Paap karo paramarath kai/ Jih paapan te ati paap lajai”. (There is no sin worse than what one commits in the name of religion.) This noble message is the need of the hour in Punjab and the rest of India on the historic occasion of the Khalsa tercentenary.