Shiromani Akali Dal desperately seeking revival but without introspection

 

Shiromani Akali Dal desperately seeking revival but without introspection

Ground Zero

Jagtar Singh

“Aah Jihdi Rajashtan Nu Nehar Jaandi Hai Saara Paani Aapna Si… Rajasthan Nu Ik Boond Da Hakk Nahin Hai Paani Milan Da…Par Indira Gandhi Ne Udon Dhakke Naal Darbara Singh Da Raj Si, Uhno Kiha Aah Daskhat Kar Main Paani Dena Hai Rajasthan Nu Jihda Naa Likhia Indira Gandhi Canal…Darbara Singh Ne Sir Jhuka Ke Daskhat Kar Te.. Jinna Paani Si Adha Paani Udon Daskhat Kar Dita Rajasthan Vaaste.”

This is from yesterday’s speech of Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal in which he held then prime minister Indira Gandhi responsible for the construction of Rajasthan Canal that carries water from Punjab rivers to the desert state and takes off from Harike Barrage on Satluj river.

He said Mrs Gandhi forced Punjab Chief Minister Darbara Singh to sign on the dotted lines to divert water to Rajasthan. She did forced Darbara Singh and it is too well known.

However, the problem in this case is that this canal was already flowing to Rajasthan at the time to which Mr Badal has referred to. This canal is known as Rajasthan Feeder in Punjab and renamed as Indira Gandhi Canal in Rajasthan. There is another canal that runs parallel to it in Punjab known as Sirhind Feeder.

He  was confusing  Rajasthan Feeder the work on which was inaugurated on 31 March, 1958 by Union Home Minister G. B. Pant and water released on 11 October, 1961 under Phase I of this project with SYL Canal.

Mrs Gandhi, of course, had forced Darbara Singh to sign an agreement between Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan and that was on December 31, 1981 on the basis of the so called revised flow series after which she laid foundation stone of the Satluj Yamuna Link Canal. The 1981 agreement was precursor to construction of SYL Canal and not the Rajasthan Feeder.

This was the first major event organised by the party since the crushing defeat in the last Assembly election.

This conference reflected justified desperation for the revival of this once Panthic party with glorious history but reduced to just three seats in the last Assembly election that was its worst ever performance.

The apportionment of river water has been one of the main issues that used to be part of the agenda on which the Shiromani Akali Dal used to struggle. It is a different issue that the first notification for the acquisition of land for this canal too was issued in February 1978 when Punjab was ruled by the Akali Dal with Parkash Singh Badal as the chief minister.

The issue here, however, is the revival of the party and that too at the time when opposition space is by and large vacant as the Congress continues to be as faction ridden as ever.

It may be mentioned that under pressure, the party leadership had constituted a committee to find out reasons for the rout and recommend remedial measures. Known as the Jhoonda Committee, its report was never released. The rank and file across the state had openly pointed out the reasons.

The Jhoonda Committee had recommended complete overhaul. One of the interpretations was change of leadership. The leadership of the party since 1995 has been with the Badal family.

Interestingly, Mr Badal in his speech referred to the Bargari sacrilege saying his family had been wrongly blamed.

However, he needs to clarify on three issues in this context.

A case of blasphemy was registered against Sacha Sauda sect chief Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh within days of the formation of the Akali Dal government in 2007. That case referred to Ram Rahim appearing in an attire like that of Guru Gobind Singh. That case was never taken to logical conclusion by the Badal government and withdrawn  just five days before Assembly elections in February 2012.

The second issue is exoneration of Ram Rahim by the Sikh clergy. The Sikh high priests had issued directive in 2007 against this sect and the chief for this blasphemous act. Badal, in 2015, summoned high priests at his official residence in September following which the clergy exonerated Ram Rahim. The details of the meeting later surfaced. This was in violation of the Sikh code of conduct.

And lastly, who ordered police action against Sikh devotees at Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan seeking  justification in case of sacrilege?

Also, the Akali leadership has never explained  as to why the very police officers who were identified with police excesses were patronised by the party government from 2007-17. The Akali Dal used to promise action against such police officers responsible for excesses that mainly were killings in fake encounters.

There are reasons for the erosion of the Akali Dal base and these issues need answers.

Punjab desperately  needs Shiromani Akali Dal.

However, going by yesterday’s Maghi conference, the leadership does not seem to be  willing to introspect, or learn lessons.