Misplaced priorities

The registration of a case against Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa by the Bhagwant Singh Mann government is an unnecessary political escalation, and comes at an inopportune time. Punjab stands at a crossroads once again, pitted against forces that have made clear their intent to foment trouble. A series of grenade blasts in the state is reason enough to forge a collective resolve against any such terror activity. What Punjab needs at this juncture is responsible leadership across the political spectrum, not one-upmanship. There is too much at stake to reduce a terror threat to a slanging match. What’s worse is dragging the police into a political confrontation, when its entire energy should be focused on taking to task those trying to drag the state back into the abyss it fought so hard to get out of.

Given the challenge Punjab faces and mindful of the violent past, one would expect a restrained and careful response on sensitive matters by the political establishment. Should Congress leader Bajwa have been more circumspect in his statements? Certainly yes. Did it warrant a case against him? Certainly not. The entire episode reeks of misplaced priorities on both sides of the political aisle. It would be in Punjab’s interest if the issues in question are not viewed solely through the political lens. List the policy shortcomings, if any, by all means, but back the fight against terror in one voice.

The AAP government must consider convening an all-party meeting. Bring the factual situation on the table, allay fears and most important, send a message of a strong, unified response to the threat. The road ahead is tough. Don’t let individual egos and the demands of electoral politics dictate the course to be taken.