‘BJP Tried to Create Rifts in Akali Dal, But Our Core Objectives Remain Firm – Punjab and Punjabiyat’

Member of the state working committee of Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal), Iqbal Singh Dhindsa, says the SAD since its inception has been committed to protecting the interests of Sikhs and the spirit of Punjabiyat. He accuses the Bharatiya Janata Party of trying to divide and decimate regional parties in several state, including Punjab. The Akali Dal has seen through their dirty tactics and is now working hard to revive its image in the state. In an interview with Mahabir Jaiswal for Lokmarg.com, Dhindsa talked about various aspects of Punjab politics, regional aspirations and federalism. Excerpts:

Q. As one of India’s oldest political parties which seeks to protect the rights of the minority Sikh community, how do you see the importance of federalism in a country as diverse as India?

The Akali Dah has been fighting for Punjab and Punjabiyat since its origin. The struggle for the rights of the Sikh community has continued and our party has made countless sacrifices towards this objective. Even today, our priority remains committed to this goal. Talking about federalism, it has been the basic Constitutional model of governance since Independence and the SAD finds it essential for the all-round development of the individual states as well as for the nation collectively.

Q. Do you believe federalism, where power is decentralised, is steadily getting weakened in India after Narendra Modi took over the Centre in 2014? If yes, please give examples to support your view.

Every party pursues its own agenda and follows its own set of rules to run a government. The BJP is running its party according to its own principles which, indirectly or directly, reflects in its governance model: that is a strong Centre. However, regional parties like the Akali Dal work on its own principles to counter such agenda. The people of Punjab had the lion’s share of the sacrifices made for India’s independence. Even before the British colonizers, our great Gurus made sacrifices to save the soul of India, to protect our culture and the underprivileged.

The situation hasn’t changed much even in Independent India; those who occupy the throne in Delhi start believing that they can run the entire country. This is not only impossible but also unviable. The centre and the state governments must work as a unit for the development of the state and indirectly the country as any conflict of interest leads to losses on both sides.

Q. The BJP is accused of cannibalizing its own regional allies, gradually weakening them and then pushing them to margins. This was seen in Maharashtra recently. You have been an alliance partner of the BJP and seen its functioning up close. Do you find any truth in such allegations?

When a regional entity joins hands with a stronger national party, some conflicts of interests are bound to happen. Our party allied with the BJP and formed a government in Punjab but unfortunately, things did not go down as per the order or the consensus. One of our aims earlier was also to unite the Sikh community and the Hindu community in Punjab to foster peace and harmony.

Instead, there were attempts to split the Akali Dal on numerous times. Thankfully, these divisive forces have been ineffective and we have remained united. Our leaders and workers are steadfast. Differences do arise due to various reasons, and our leaders and workers may temporarily go astray, but they understand that the interests of Punjab and Punjabi culture are protected by the Akali Dal and therefore, they return back to the fold in the interest of Punjab. The parties in Delhi cannot break Punjabis, because Punjab resides within us.

Q. There have been allegations that the BJP wants a strong Centre which can influence areas and power that come under States list as per the Seventh Schedule? Do you agree with this view?

These allegations might be true to some extent and I would like to substantiate this with one example – the central government attempted to reduce the powers of the state government in Punjab by expanding the jurisdiction of the Border Security Force (BSF), allowing them to exercise its jurisdiction up to 15 km in border towns. This decision by the central government has angered the people of Punjab as it was due to the extreme efforts and commitment of our Punjab Police (PP) that terrorism was wiped out from Punjab. New Delhi has, in a way, curtailed the powers of the state police and also questioned its efficiency. Policing is a state subject. Such interferences with the autonomy and functioning of state administration and law enforcement agencies could not be termed as appropriate.

Q. Central parties have more resources and money to manipulate electorate and elections. In your view, do regional parties suffer from any handicap while posing a challenge to National political groups?

I do not believe so. Former PM late Atal Bihari Vajpayee was once the BJP’s lone MP, but now the BJP rules at the Centre as well as most of the states. Congress ruled the country for 70 years and now it remains marginalized. Ups and downs are the laws of nature and no one can stop it, no one can bind it. Since the BJP is the largest party in the country today, it has all the resources. However, regional parties have their own identity, their own vote-base, their own culture, and the ability to fight for their people. Our decisions are not driven by some big policy-maker sitting in a Delhi air-conditioned room, but by the people of Punjab on ground.

Q. Akali Dal has been reduced to just one seat in state Assembly and one in Lok Sabha. This is a monumental decline. Why do you think this happened? Has there been any inner review to find out the reasons for this decline?

One of the reasons behind our weakened state is the BJP which hatched a conspiracy and tried to take over the Gurudwara Management Committees in Punjab. BJP members spread false propaganda among the Sikh community about Akali Dal leaders. The media, social media, and some senior leaders were misled. The innocent people of Punjab were also fed lies. A campaign was launched to mislead the people of Punjab and gain votes and today, the people of Punjab are regretting it. They are cursing the BJP and the current Aam Aadmi Party government. If elections were held today, the Aam Aadmi Party and the BJP would be wiped out.

Q. How does the party leadership plan to revive its fortune in Punjab?

There is always a scope for corrections and transformation to resurrect one’s political fortunes. Things didn’t work out with National parties, so we are looking forward for possibilities with smaller and regional parties to consolidate our base. We are also connecting with the people of Punjab to carry forward our legacy of ‘Punjab and Punjabiyat’. We are also exploring other avenues to reach out to the people of Punjab and hope to come out with flying colours sooner than later.