By Satinder Bains
CHANDIGARH: A debate is going on in Punjab and among Sikhs around the world over the issues of no action taken on theft of 'Bir' of Guru Granth Sahib from Faridkot village, granting pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda Chief Gurmeet Ram Raheem Singh (later revoked), the sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib, unprovoked firing on peaceful Sikh protesters, suspension of Panj Piaras and rejecting their verdict to remove Sikh High priests.
The Chain of events is very disturning and shows heinous face of politics. One can't expect that a family which got so much from Punjab would go to an extent of robing Sikhs of their honour and pride. the heavens would not fall if Shiromani Akali Dal(SAD) would not return to power in 2017. It is sheer madness to win the assembly elections at any cost, even if it amounts to putting whole community at stake.
When the 'Bir' was stolen from Faridkot village. Punjab Police Service official Charanjit Sharma was the SSP and it is known fact in the media and police circles that Sukhbir Singh Badal President SAD had handpicked him for his home constituency ignoring many competent officers. He was shifted to Moga where he ordered firing on peaceful demonstrators. When anger of Sikhs spilled out, Sukhbir Badal suspended Charanjit Sharma and ordered to register case of murder against guilty policemen. he ensured that no names are mentioned in the FIR. It was in fact a bid to save the skin of Charanjit Sharma who served the purpose of his masters. It was also an attempt to prevent any judical intervention like ordering CBI probe.
One can assume from the actions of Sukhbir Badal that he is trying to provoke the Sikh sentiments repeatedly. Beside incidents of theft of 'Bir', firing on peaceful Sikh demonstrators, the actions of granting pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda Chief then revoking this order, allowing Sikh radical groups to paralyse normal life, suspension of Panj Piaras who summoned five Sikh High Priests are indicators that Sukhbir Badal wants to drive the situation to an extent where Sikh votes are consolidated. The people of Sant Samaj seems helping Badals to achieve their nefarious designs. One shall not forget that Sant Samaj headed by Harnam Singh Dhumma head of Damdami Taksal had supported SAD in the 2007 assembly elections. It was on the persistant demand of Sant Samaj that Badals forced SGPC to amend the Nanakshahi calender. It was also a sort of betryal with Sikhs community.
It is worth mentioning that SAD is nervous due to rising polpularity of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Sukhbir Badal understood to have played the gimmick of isolating Sikhs from AAP. He forgets that Punjab is suffering from drug menace and mafia, sand mafia, liquor mafia, transport mafia and corruption. It is all gifted by Badals. Sikhs would not forgive Badals so easilty. Badal's sole target is to prevent Sikh voters from going into AAP's kitty.
It is known fact that SGPC President Avtar Singh Makkar takes directions from Badal family. It was shameful that a senior SAD leader from Chandigarh called Dr. Roop Singh tsecretary of SGPC to suspend Panj Piaras when they summoned the high preists. The secrtary who refused to obey the orders was suspended along with Panj Piaras. In all 11 SGPC emplyees were suspended which also included another secretary and two emplyees who disobeyed the orders to act agianst Panj Piaras. Makkar shamefully rejected the directions of Panj Piaras and humiliated them by saying, 'they are petty employees of SGPC and had no right to summon Jathedars'. He forgot that Jathedars of Takhts are also employees of SGPC.
This is not for the first time that SAD and SGPC had humiliated Sikh priests. In 1999 at the time of 300th years of Khalsa foundation, same set of SAD and SGPC leaders had humiliated the then Akal Takht Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh then sacked Giani Puran Singh. The list is long but it makes the point that how political leaders are misusing the religious organisations. It is for the Sikh community to think about their future and not to fall in the trap of Badal family. For them religion is only a tool to boost their business interests. The lust for power and money has noi limits. But this time Badals are caught on wrong foot and their political gimmicks are likely to boomrang.