Flashpoint in Punjab

Splits in the Shiromani Akali Dal SAD are not uncommon, but the one which is imminent now is likely to inflict immense damage to the party, which tasted power only two years ago after a bitter struggle. Besides harming the two warring leaders, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and SGPC president Gurcharan Singh Tohra, it could be a turning point in the state8217;s political fortunes. The developments during the Holla Mohalla celebrations at Anandpur Sahib earlier this week dashed all hopes of any reconciliation between the two factions. Tohra abstained from the Akali Dal meeting, which was addressed by Badal and other leaders. Instead, speaking from the SGPC podium, he warned of bloodshed8217; if Bhai Ranjit Singh was not allowed to lead the traditional Holla Mohalla procession. It would be pertinent to recall that Bhai Ranjit Singh was recently suspended as Jathedar of the Akal Takht by the Badal-backed SGPC executive, which announced Giani Puran Singh as the acting Akal Takht Jathedar. Tohra8217;s outburstwas deplorable. Fortunately, nothing untoward happened as Giani Puran Singh, who is still recuperating from a heart attack, did not turn up, and Bhai Ranjit Singh led the Holla Mohalla procession.

Following the unsavoury developments at Anandpur Sahib, Tohra faces expulsion from the party for his anti-party activities8217;. Meanwhile, he is also likely to be ousted as SGPC president by the Committee8217;s general house, which is due to meet later this month. This could put the Badal faction in total control of the Akali Dal and the SGPC, enabling Giani Puran Singh to function as the acting Jathedar from the precincts of the Golden Temple. Of course, much will depend on the outcome of the ongoing legal wrangling. The legality of the recently constituted Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission which hears disputes over the SGPC Act, is awaiting a decision of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Of course, the immediate beneficiary of the goings-on will be the Congress, which is having a ringside view of the slanging match. But there are perils of the Akali split having dangerous implications for the state in the long run. A fragmented Sikh political and religious leadership could give a spurt to revival of terrorism. Since Tohra lacked the requisite numbers in the party and the SGPC, perhaps he should not have precipitated the issue, particularly when Badal remains acceptable to all sections of people. Yet, he raised a vital point about the lack of governance, which Badal must take note of. Also, having scored his point Badal should now cement the cracks within the party. He must make amends over the manner in which the post of the Akal Takht Jathedar has been trivialised, which has not been appreciated by a significant section of Sikhs. Unless Badal goes in for reconciliation, even in his hour of triumph, he will have to contend with yet another faction of the Akali Dal, a separate group of theSGPC and, perhaps, two Akal Takht Jathedars. This will leave him little time to tide over other pressing issues of wider import 8212; like the deteriorating financial condition of the state.

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