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Opinion Akal Takht didn’t cross any lines in Sukhbir Badal case

Akali Dal started as a religious party, with Sikhs at its core, the Constitution is not in conflict with the party ideology and the Sukhbir Badal case is an internal matter of the Akali Dal and Sikhs. Everyone agrees - Punjab needs the Akali Dal

The moment Narain Singh Chaura took out a pistol, Jasbir Singh reacted instantly. He turned slightly, reached for Chaura’s weapon, and pushed him back, diverting the bullet away from Sukhbir Singh Badal. (PTI/ Screengrab)

Kiranjot Kaur

December 18, 2024 01:18 PM IST First published on: Dec 18, 2024 at 07:00 AM IST

Yogendra Yadav (IE, December 10, ‘The diminution of a party’) maintains that in the events that unfolded at Akal Takht Sahib in Amritsar, three red lines have been crossed. First, the regression of the Akali Dal from a secular to a religious party; second, the constitutional propriety of the proceedings; and third, propriety of the Akal Takht in political matters. The Akali Dal started as a religious party in 1920 and its core has always been Sikhs. Even though the Akali Dal watched Sikh interests, its approach has been secular, not infringing on the interests of other communities. That is because the Sikh religion rejects divisions in society on the basis of religion, caste and gender. It recognises the divine soul in each human being and warmly embraces people from different religions and cultures, welcoming them to Sikh sacred spaces. If Yadav means “secular” that is minus religion, then Congress, Shiv Sena, the ruling party BJP should also raise concerns because they openly practise Hindu religion in government public programmes.

An observer not very conversant with the Sikh doctrine and traditions is likely to miss the nuances of the public hearing of Sukhbir Singh Badal, President of the Shiromani Akali Dal. Yadav’s basic argument is to separate religion from politics. He vaguely refers to the concept of Miri Piri, comparing it with the advent of modern-day babas, yogis and swamis in the BJP regime. The problem actually originated because the “secular” Akali Dal, post the 1995 Moga conference, interfered directly in religious matters for vote politics. A hukamnama that directed Sikhs not to have any social or political dealing with Dera Sirsa Sadh for impersonating as Guru Gobind Singh was the core issue. The “secular” Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal, also deputy CM Punjab then, manipulated and pressured the jathedars of five Takhts to forgive the Sadh without him seeking an apology, thereby flouting tradition maryada.

The jathedars exonerated him, but the decision had to be rescinded when Sikh masses stood up against it, making the movement of religious and political leaders among common people almost impossible. This was followed by the sacrilege of the Guru Granth Sahib by Dera men and the Akali government in power did not act against them. Instead, “unidentified” police fired at the peaceful Sikh protesters, killing two young Sikhs. State terrorism and police fake encounters of the 1980s is an open wound. Parkash Singh Badal as CM of Punjab at that point in time is seen as responsible for not ensuring justice for Sikhs. Sikh anger was such that the Sikh vote started drifting away from the Akali Dal and the party started losing its core vote bank.

From 2017 onwards, the fall was swift. The AAP was the fluke gainer. This is when voices within Akali Dal became vociferous, seeking introspection and course correction. A group of senior leaders went to Akal Takht seeking forgiveness from the community for being silent partners in the anti-Sikh decisions taken by Parkash Singh Badal, then CM Punjab, and Sukbhir Singh Badal beginning in 2007. There was no option but for Akal Takht to summon Sukhbir Singh Badal and seek his explanation. Badal admitted to “being guilty” on all accounts. He was summoned according to Sikh maryada and what followed was soul stirring.

For many Sikhs, it brought a sense of closure to the anger that was simmering for over a decade. The community may not forgive easily but a beginning has been made, if the Akali Dal undergoes its penance with humility. Historically, the Akal Takht represents the Sikh doctrine of Miri Piri. Like the body takes guidance from the soul for it’s actions, temporal issues should take guidance from spiritual principles for harmony in society. The actions of a person living in a diverse society should be for sarbat da bhala, well being of everyone. Politics should be based on higher values of social justice and inclusivity of the less fortunate. Through centuries this is the place where Sikhs gather to resolve their religious and political issues. In fact, the Akali Dal was born at Akal Takht Sahib and it will remain accountable to it unless they no longer represent the Sikhs.

Coming to the second point. A PIL was filed by Syed Waseem Rizwi seeking directions to the Election Commission to cancel the names and symbols of political parties with religious connotations. The EC filed a response to a notice by a bench compromising Justice M R Shah and Justice Krishna Murari in the Supreme Court that in the People’s Representation Act 1951, there is no express provision which bars associations with religious connotations from registering themselves as political parties and that as per Section 29A of the Act, political parties are required to abide by the principle of “secularism”. The affidavit filed by the EC also says “existing political parties which are having religious connotation have become ‘legacy names as they have been in existence for decades’.” The Constitution is not in conflict with the ideology of the Akali Dal.

The third point, the SGPC, is a democratically elected body of the Sikhs that manages historical Sikh gurdwaras according to the Act of 1925. However, it also takes up religious and political issues that have direct bearing on the Sikhs. Akal Takht is also under its management. However, the jathedar of Akal Takht is not a constitutional position. It comes from Sikh history and traditions and is non-negotiable. The jathedar is a spokesperson of the Sikhs, accountable to the Panth and committed to upholding panthak maryada. Contrary to what Yadav says, the event at the Akal Takht is totally an internal matter of Akali Dal and Sikhs. Hindus and other communities have nothing to do with it. If the hukamnama is followed sincerely, it will set the tone for revival of Akali Dal. All political parties agree that Punjab needs the Akali Dal.

The writer is member, SGPC Amritsar