Memorial won’t solve any problem, bringing guilty to book only solution

Aparna Banerji
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, May 16

He started off as the AAP’s Jalandhar candidate -- cautious, hesitant and barely able to pronounce the names of locals in the city he was about to visit. But over a month after he has been on the campaign trail, Justice Jora Singh (retd) is now able to name not just the localities but the agenda for his poll campaign with marked confidence.

He is sceptical about a  ‘memorial’ for sacrilege victims and his response on desecration still remains measured (he chaired the Justice Jora Singh Commission on beadbi (sacrilege) incidents. He is more forthcoming on his agenda for Jalandhar. Excerpts from a conversation:

You came with an ‘outsider’ tag. What has changed after your canvassing for a month?

I got married in Jalandhar. My first posting was in the city and then I joined the High Court. Moga might be my birthplace but I have had special associations with Jalandhar. A dedicated team of volunteers canvass with me. Whoever we meet, fully supports us. The AAP is getting a good response.

What are Jalandhar’s primary issues?

Solid waste management across constituencies in Jalandhar is the main issue. Health and education too. Basic necessities should be there. People should also get amenities on the lines of Delhi. Why do Punjabis have to pay Rs 8-10 per unit for power when Delhi provides it for Re 1? Farmers in Delhi get more price for a quintal of wheat. They also have CNG buses and vehicles, which is required here. The Punjab Government needs to address these issues.

Environment doesn’t figure anywhere. Why?

In my Jalandhar manifesto, it’s a major issue. I plan to bring this on the map practically, if I win. Water is a huge issue. Desertification of the state is imminent. In the manifesto, I’ve taken it up. The water of the Bein is polluted. After 20–50 years, there will be no water.

Why doesn’t your stance on sacrilege feature prominently? 

I submitted the report in 1986. They did not make it public. The guilty should be acted against. Parkash Singh Badal termed the 1986 (Nakodar) incident as commonplace. Will he wait for a bigger kand (incident) to issue a condemnation? At the time of beadbi, Sukhbir Badal was the Deputy Chief Minister, he had the Home Department. Could any police official take action in defiance of him? The report was submitted in 2016 by me, he should have investigated the links. The DIG and IG-rank officers came to me during the investigation and no one was arrested. It’s for them to answer. I can’t.

The Congress has announced action recently. What is your take?

Rahul (Gandhi) has said the guilty will be punished. The Chief Minister has said a memorial will be made. All this time, the accused haven’t been punished. Will the memorial solve any problems? They should bring the guilty to book. A memorial is fine, but victims should get justice first.

What are Doaba issues?

I have visited the colonies and predominantly Dalit areas in the city, Phillaur and the rural belt. At one colony, near the city flower market, there is no drinking water for the residents and they take it from the local gurdwara. Such problems need to be addressed.