Iqbal Singh Lalpura
Punjab is the border state of India touching Pakistan. The state, along with Bengal, was divided during partition and independence in 1947. Before partition, Punjab was the most prosperous state of India and it remained so till the late 80’s. Punjab is the only state in India where the Sikh population is in the majority. Sikhs, by nature, are hardworking, kind, and peaceful people. However, by their belief, they are saints and soldiers alike. They are the people who sacrificed the most during the independence struggle. Maharaja Ranjit Singh ruled a vast area with his capital in Lahore.
Since partition, the struggle for power between the political parties has not been about progressive agendas, such as settling refugees who suffered during Partition, creating educational opportunities, economic development, and creating jobs. The problem was further complicated as Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal were together during the independence struggle. They even merged twice, in 1948 and 1956, to contest the 1957 Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections. The majority of the Akali leaders, like Giani Kartar Singh, S. Swaran Singh, Mohan Singh Nagoke, and Partap Singh Kairon, representing the Jat lobby, preferred to stay with Congress against Master Tara Singh and his handful of supporters in the Vidhan Sabha. However, in the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, the balance was in favor of Master Tara Singh’s group. The Congress-supported group tried to take control of the SGPC but couldn’t sustain it longer. The Communist party was the third-largest group in Punjab politics. The Jan Sangh was limited to urban areas only.
Shiromani Akali Dal, being the political party representing the Sikhs, chose to use the Sikh agenda. It started with the Punjabi language, then Punjabi Suba. The Sikhs were provoked on this agenda as discrimination against the Punjabi language ,which was seen as an attack on Sikh religion and culture. When there is provocation and the atmosphere is surcharged, there is little place for diplomacy and development.
Another division of Punjab in 1966 on the basis of language further complicated the situation. Punjabi language has many dialects according to the area, such as Pothohari, Saraiki, Dogri, Pahari, Majhi, Doabi, Malwai, and Puadi. The basis on which it was decided is not clear. Language has a culture as well; most people following different dialects have a common culture that transcends religious beliefs.
The then Central government under Smt. Indira Gandhi kept the pot boiling by not deciding the future of Chandigarh, Bhakra Dam control, river water, and Hindi/Punjabi-speaking areas as claimed by Punjab and Haryana leaders. Provoking the people of Punjab and Haryana has become an important part of the political agenda of these states.
Now, the grievance against the Central government has started. The list of grievances keeps on increasing, and every subsequent government and party adds to it.
Sikhs, with their nature as angels, as preached by Guru Nanak, try to contribute to the cause of the community and humanity at large. Thus, Gurdwara institutions have sufficient funds to promote and propagate the Gospel of Guru Nanak. However, this may not be an agenda in politics, particularly when you mix religion with it. From the Holy Harimandir Sahib, the priest cannot see Sri Akal Takhat Sahib; however, the priest of Akal Takhat can see Sri Harimandir Sahib clearly. This makes it clear that politics needs to be guided by religion, not vice versa.
Having suffered thousands of deaths and loss of wealth, the policy of provocation has not changed. During the last eleven years, the Honorable Prime Minister of India has made the best efforts to apply balm to the wounds of Sikhs who suffered in 1984. He has also solved the issue regarding the blacklist and the Kartarpur Sahib corridor. As a community, Sikhs are the only religion in India that celebrates the Shahidi of younger Sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh ji as Veer Bal Diwas on December 26th every year as a National Day. However, for the politicians in opposition, the victim card and provocation agenda find a new grievance from time to time to agitate for.
This agenda of grievances and problems, which needs discussion and has national-level implications, cannot be solved by agitation. The policy of defying the Central government’s decision on every issue has kept Punjab and Punjabis provoked, spreading their hard-earned money on funding agitations. Thus, creating a law and order situation with agitation has become a favorite game for political parties in Punjab. Passing bills against the Central government is a new addition to the armor of the party in power.
Punjabis follow the spirit of Guru Sahiban, are basically friendly servants of the society, and prefer to lay down their lives for the people and country. Punjab has so many problems; it has become a police and bureaucratic state since 1983 after the President’s rule, and still, the subsequent government has not succeeded in making it a true people-friendly state as it was before 1983. The menace of drugs has to be controlled from the top, not from the bottom. Unemployment is another issue; that is why the younger generation is not keen to stay here.
Punjab needs a change of heart and policies. Let’s dump the victim card and get the grievances redressed by mature diplomacy. Instead of provoking statements or rushing to the Vidhan Sabha, let’s consider the National Government our helper and protector. Let’s open a dialogue for peace and prosperity in Punjab. Let’s also consider peace over provocation and Governance over grievances. This may be the right politics and diplomacy.
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