Split wide open

The BJP and Akali Dal were always thought inseparable. But recently, the two parties have already parted ways in Rajasthan and Haryana. In H...

The BJP and Akali Dal were always thought inseparable. But recently, the two parties have already parted ways in Rajasthan and Haryana. In Haryana, the Akalis have tied up with Om Prakash Chautala. The repercussions of the split are being felt in Punjab too. The Akali leadership is angry at the then NDA government8217;s reported holier-than-thou attitude when the Amarinder Singh government was putting them behind bars. On the other hand, the RSS leadership is upset at the hukumnama issued by the Akal Takht describing the RSS and its Sikh affiliate, the Rashtriya Sikh Sangat, as a 8216;8216;threat to Sikh identity.8217;8217; The RSS8217;s insistence that its Sikh cadres should not cut their hair is also upsetting the Akalis.

Jhappiyan pappiyan

After the literati and sportsmen came the journalists. Fifty-seven mediapersons from Lahore came to Chandigarh for a six-day visit recently. The emotional outpouring aside, it was evident that the last five decades have left a wide gulf. When a journalist from a Jalandhar-based vernacular daily waved a 8216;8216;bye8217;8217;, the Pakistani delegation were quick to criticise. Wiser sense prevailed, and the japhis returned.

Hundred years of celebrations

Punjab is becoming an expert at celebrating centenaries. 2004 saw its share of such events 8212; the 400th anniversary of installation of the Guru Granth Sahib at the Golden Temple, the 500th birth anniversary of Guru Angad Dev, the 300th anniversary of the matyrdom of Guru Gobind Singh8217;s sons. While the Akali Dal tries to use the occasion as an opportunity to spread its religious and political message, the Congress government is not too far behind. By the end of the year, the honours were even.

Land of money, honey

Punjab continues to splurge, despite loud claims of not having enough funds. An estimated Rs 4 crore will be spent on the renovation of the CM8217;s office and the Punjab Bhawan, the state guest house. And a grand tour of MLAs is planned. The estimated cost? Another crore.