Clergy crisis — Quake has ended, but tremors will continue

The developments have eclipsed the euphoric victory in the Nawanshahr Vidhan Sabha by-election. Should Badal lose caution, it might affect the relationship with alliance partner, the BJP. Badal enjoys the image of a Punjabi leader, not just a Sikh leader.

SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur may have succeeded in replacing Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Puran Singh but not without causing unprecedented damage to the institution. The SGPC represents the Sikhs and the Akal Takht the Sikh ideology. The hukamnama excommunicating Bibi Jagir Kaur might be controversial but it is for the first time that a hukamnama has been rescinded, doing incalculable damage to tradition. What’s more, according to Akal Takht philosophy, politics is to seek guidance from religion. In this case, the main characters have blatantly misused institutions for vested political interests.

“Nobody is a winner in this game. It is the institutions which have been damaged which would take years to recover”, said a senior Akali leader preferring anonymity.

Implementation of the Nanakshahi calendar, which, in fact, had been cleared by the SGPC under the presidency of Tohra, provided the flash-point to the clash of egos between Puran Singh and Jagir Kaur. The Nanakshahi calender symbolises exclusive Sikh identity which has not been the agenda of Badal. He has been consistently adhering to the agenda of Punjabiat.

Badal, perhaps unconsciously subscribed to the exclusive Sikh identity agenda with his government implementing the Nanakshahi calendar while observing gurpurabs. The Badal Government-owned SGPC agenda can have a direct fall-out on the Punjab politics, especially on the relationship of Akali Dal with the BJP which has vehemently opposed the calender.

The loyalty of Bibi Jagir Kaur has never been in doubt but in this case, her loyalty has also become a political liability for Badal. That the right wing Sikh radicals have lined up behind the SGPC chief is very significant.

The Akali politics in turn can become more divisive and vicious with various pressure groups trying to seek more space in the process. That all the ruling Akali Dal members of the SGPC executive committee did not join Bibi Jagir Kaur in sacking Puran Singh is an indicator.