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The Rising
Tide: Authority of the Akal Takht
Dr Amrik
Singh Sacramento
Deferring
to the rising tide of Sikh protest, the Akal Takht has issued an
edict to seal all Deras in Punjab. On May 31, Sikhs will parade from
the historic Gurudwara Fatehgarh to Chandigarh to submit a
memorandum to the Governor. Parodying Guru Gobind Singh’s creation
of Khalsa by Dera Sauda’s chief Gurmit Ram Rahim brought
Punjab again on the brink of destruction. Protesting Sikhs
brandishing religious swords (Kirpans) looked more aggressive.
International media such as Fox T.V. showed Sikhs as an
uncontrollable mob. Many English newspapers portrayed Dera’s
followers as one of the sects of Sikhs dedicated to the welfare of
society. Electronic media televised Dera followers donating blood
not shedding it.. Punjabi Newspaper from Mohali appeared to have
stolen the light by showing pro-Sikh stance and by highlighting the
damage done to Sikh pride at Baba’s action. But as soon as the five
high priests declared a convention of Panthic organizations, the
editor of the newspaper took a u-turn. The social boycott of Gurmit
Ram Rahim by the high priest could not have impressed him as he
himself was guilty of the religious misconduct and insubordination
of the Akal Takht. In his editorial, he suggested Sikh Sangat should
have dumped Singh Sahibs and carried out religious punishment with
advice from ultra-modern Sikhs like himself.
Analysts examine
Dera’s action in the background of criminal cases of murder and
moral turpitude against its chief Gurmit Ram Rahim. It was the only
ploy to deflect the attention of the public. A few tie it with the
internecine fight within the Punjab Congress. Capt. Amarinder
Singh’s donning the garb of a radical Sikh during his Chief
Ministership alienated more Hindus and Dalit voters from the
traditional base of Congress. They say ‘Dera’s provocative action is
an attempt to win back Hindus and Dalits from the BJP-Akali
alliance.
What are the
precursors of the present situation? Is it a CBI case against Baba?
Or is it a SGPC Dharmparchar committee’s campaign against Deravaad?
Or is it Capt. Amarinder’s fear of Vigilance Bureau’s exposure in
transferring money abroad? Or is it Spokesman’s editor’s
manipulation of Sikh politics to his advantage?
Let us consider all
aspects of what the perpetrators and conspirators might have
foreseen in creating unrest in Punjab. They must have calculated
that the radical Sikhs would create havoc in
Punjab by antagonizing Hindus and Dalits against BJP-Akali
alliance. In such circumstances, Capt. Amrinder might be accepted
as the president of the Congress to cash on the swing of Hindus and
Dalits towards Congress. The radical Sikhs would damage the
authority of the Akal Takht weakening Sikh leadership. There would
be a total decimation of moderate leadership. Sikhs would be
portrayed as a violent race.
Sikhs responded to
the call of the five Sikh priests at Talwandi Sabo. The Akal Takht
bowed to the mandate of the Khalsa and issued the ultimatum. The
Editor of the Spokesman was shocked at the turn of the events. He
wanted total disenchantment of Sikhs with the Akal Takht.
In an age of Dalits
at the centre of the national consciousness, people of
Punjab have shown a rare solidarity with the ruffled
feelings of Sikhs. Though the incident bears comparison to the
Nirankari incident of 1978, yet there is a marked difference in the
response of the majority Hindus and Dalits. Sikhs need not only
appreciate it, but also publicly recognize it. Hindus of seventies
had bought the official version of Sikh separatism at the national
level. But in 2007, they have discarded it paving the way for
Congress decline.
There are many
lessons to be learnt from the present circumstances. The SGPC should
expand its base and allow educated young Sikhs to serve the cause of
poor masses mostly Dalits. ‘Jatvaad’ and ‘Brahmanism’ should be
considered two sides of the same coin. Make the institution of the
Akal Takht universally acceptable.
23 May, 2007
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