December 6, 2024 04:30 IST
First published: December 6, 2024 at 04:30 IST
The attempted murder Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal has been rekindled memories of the state’s dark days by an ex-terrorist who crossed into Pakistan during the height of unrest in Punjab. Ironically, the incident took place at the same place where a Deputy Inspector General of Punjab Police was murdered in 1983. While today’s reality is very different, with any popular support for separatist elements, the need for caution cannot be understated. Unfortunately, the incident has fueled conspiracy theories, with both the opposition and the ruling Aam Aadmi Party indulging in the blame game. There is an urgent need for an impartial investigation. Political parties must resist the temptation to abuse this moment of national reckoning for narrow gains.
The shooting comes at a time when the spotlight is on the Shiromani Akali Dal, amid an intervention by the Akal Takht, the Sikhs’ supreme interim authority. India’s oldest party, which historically served as a moderating force in sectarian politics, finds itself on the back foot. Its diminishing influence was evident in the Lok Sabha elections, when two candidates with militant leanings were elected to Parliament. While optimists see promise in Akal Takht’s party reform efforts, the road to revival is fraught with challenges. Sukhbir Singh Badal’s admission of guilt in response to questions raised on the Akal Takht Jathedar’s insults and controversial police appointments may have appeased some people, but it also seems to have emboldened hardliners.
Punjab, which was once a leader in economic performance, has declined badly in the last two decades. A sense of frustration among its youth has triggered a mass exodus from the state. The agrarian crisis turned into the longest farmers’ movement on the Delhi border and another movement was launched. Adding to these problems are unresolved emotional issues like the sharing of river waters and the demand for a separate capital city – the focus of the Akalis-led crusade front before being hijacked by extremist forces. These unresolved issues, often co-opted by radical elements, continue to reopen old wounds. Other sensitive issues, such as the release of Sikh political prisoners and control over Sikh shrines, further increase tensions and provide fodder for extremists. Several fault lines in Punjab demand not only recognition but closure. While well-wishers hope that the Akali Dal will regain a middle ground in sectarian politics, both the state and the Center should keep politics aside to carefully address the sensitive issues of the state. The focus should be on promoting industrial development, creating employment and enabling farmers to adopt sustainable and profitable agricultural practices. Although ambitious, these goals can be achieved with a concerted effort. Both the state and the Center must remember that Punjab cannot afford to revert to extremism.