It’s BJP bid to create a niche in Sikh politics

NEW DELHI:Commuting Balwant Singh Rajoana’s death sentence ahead of the Assembly bypolls in Punjab is being seen as BJP’s endeavour to create for itself a niche in Sikh politics by softening Sikh hardliners, who may otherwise sway towards the Akalis.

Balwant Singh Rajoana

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 29

Commuting Balwant Singh Rajoana’s death sentence ahead of the Assembly bypolls in Punjab is being seen as BJP’s endeavour to create for itself a niche in Sikh politics by softening Sikh hardliners, who may otherwise sway towards the Akalis.

The saffron party may be looking to ‘go it alone’ in Punjab, or could be biding time while hanging on to its 23- year-old alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal. Seven years ago, when Badal as CM met the President and pleaded for clemency for Rajoana, BJP’s Punjab unit distanced itself from the matter, saying “let the law takes its course”, implying it did not favour any such move. Today, a BJP-led Union Government, with requisite numbers in the Lok Sabha and not dependent on any ally, has taken a decision that will be interpreted differently across the globe. The move on Rajoana comes just two weeks after the Sikh blacklist was slashed. It is too early to say if the BJP is pitching itself in the Jat Sikh-dominated rural belt or is eying the Khatri Sikh votes.

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Jagtar Singh, author of “Khalistan Struggle: A Non – Movement” puts it thus: “The BJP is treading cautiously as its alliance with the SAD is a Hindu-Sikh alliance”. The BJP is using its Sikh leaders Hardeep Singh Puri and SS Channy, both former officers, to reach out to the Punjabi diaspora. RP Singh and Harjit Grewal are the party’s Sikh face. Former DSGMC chief Manjit Singh GK has announced forming his own party. Earlier with the Akalis, he makes no bones about “siding with the BJP” if the latter stands up for the Sikhs.

It was the Hindus who bore the brunt of militancy in Punjab. For the BJP to snap ties with the Akalis will not be easy, lest it is seen as ‘deserting’ the Sikhs, who comprise 60 per cent of Punjab’s population and hold the key in several seats in Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, J&K and Uttarakhand. The BJP, if it were to announce a decision to go it alone in Punjab, could see several leaders from the SAD and the Congress crossing over. The decision to commute Rajoana’s sentence may bring dividends. But will it sit well with the party’s uncompromising image on national security?