Akali Dal must continue to reinvent itself while being voice of the Sikhs that is its basic strength
Akali Dal
must keep on evolving and reinventing itself while maintaining basic character
Ground Zero
Jagtar Singh
The Shiromani
Akali Dal is not just a political party. It is an institution of the Sikhs.
The
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee is not just a body elected by the Sikhs
to manage their historical shrines in the region that once was Punjab.
Both of these
institutions of the Sikhs have played
vital role in the religio-political dynamics of this dynamic community for a
century since their creation within about one month of each other in 1920. The SGPC
was formed by the representative gathering of the Sikhs, including from Sikh
battalions, at Akal Takht on November
15, 1920 followed by the Akali Dal on December 14. Both these bodies have
supplemented each other ever since. The SGPC along with the Akali Dal has
played a major role in shaping Sikh dynamics and occupies distinct place in the
Sikh religio-political matrix.
The appeal
of Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal to the Sikhs at large from the stage of
Manji Sahib in the Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) complex yesterday, that was
partly a confession, not to allow weakening of these two institutions must be
viewed in this broader context.
Of course, the
Akali Dal carries the baggage of Bargari.
The person
directly responsible for Bargari narrative is Parkash Singh Badal as the chief
minister. He himself was dealing with the spot situation. Moreover, it was he
who had summoned the Takht chiefs to his residence to manage exoneration of
Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmit Ram Rahim from the act of blasphemy. Of course,
Sukhbir mocked the Sikh protesters later. He should have later corrected
himself later.
It was the
act of Badal to summon the Takht chiefs that damaged both the Akal Takht as
well as the SGPC and it was the Akali Dal that was hit in the process. This is
a complex institutional relationship. Bargari and Behbal Kalan are essentially
administrative failures for which moral responsibility must be owned.
The Akali
Dal has been and still is the body that articulates the Sikh concerns and no
blunder committed by the leadership can deny the party this role. It is for
this reason that the Akali Dal must not be allowed to get weakened. Sukhbir
rightly said, “I may be replaced as party chief tomorrow. But the institutions
will be there and they are the real strength of the Sikhs.” The occasion was
the founding anniversary function of the SGPC.
These are
the two institutions that have over time come into confrontation with the
rulers in Delhi both before and after independence. Both these institutions
have been fighting for maintaining exclusive and separate identity of the Sikhs
globally.
It is in
this backdrop that the Akali Dal and the SGPC must keep on evolving and reinventing themselves while retaining
the basic structure that can’t be compromised.
Competing
for power in elections must not be the end but the means for greater cause that
is advancement of Punjab and the Sikhs, not of vested interests of power brokers. The Akali
Dal would have to make this assertion very clear.
The Sikhs
have emerged as a most visible community at the global level during Covid for
the humanitarian service they have rendered backed by the gurdwaras by way of
Langar, the basic service to humanity. Langar is not just free community food
but is concept of equality of humanity in practice without any distinction.
These are
the strengths on which the Sikh institutions should be reinvented and this
would go a long way in reinforcing the Akali Dal.
Of course,
these institutions must function within democratic ethos of the Sikh religion.
The Akali
Dal must be inclusive as the Sikh philosophy itself is inclusive based upon the
humanism and brotherhood. However, the basic character of this institution of
being voice of the Sikhs must continue to underline its political dynamics. The
electoral dynamics should also be shaped
within this broader framework.
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