The Rumblings in Punjab

It is said that History rhymes and the turn of events in Punjab's Ajnala seem like a flashback to the dark and blood-stained period in Punjab's history. History is repeating itself with a remake of the Punjab insurgency with new characters but the same storyline.

The Sikh religion and Punjab politics have always been intertwined, creating the Frankenstein of Bhindranwale. Back then, economic class divide and projecting a return to the Orthodox fold of religion as the solution was used to capture the public imagination. Today, Amritpal is using drug menace and is trying to address it using religion, underneath which lies the radicalization. Akali Dal was then out of power, so they turned to extremism to be relevant, and after the arrival of Bhindranwale on the scene, competitive communalism started. Even now, Akalis are out of power, and they seem to be back at it again. There was distrust of New Delhi among the people, further fueling the extremists. Similarly, today as well New Delhi and the people of Punjab seem to be at odds with all the drama around Farm bills and protests. Then started the targeted killings. Eventually, the radicals ran amock all over the state.

Though the silver lining in all of these is the fringe elements have not been able to gather steam, nor do they have mass support on their side. Attempts are on to use religion and somehow project the state as the oppressor and anti-Sikh, and get the public to turn against the state. The Ajnala incident was part of the same strategy. No political party has at least publicly stood in support of Amritpal and radicals, which was not the case in the 80s when the extreme elements had political protection. Even AAP, which has had a history of indulging with radicals in Punjab, its Chief Minister lashed out at Amritpal. Bhindranwale was much more clever than those today leading the separatist movement. He always maintained he had got nothing to do with politics. People were never able to see through the politics that was played with Bhindranwale as the pivot. But that facade doesn't exist today, and people can clearly see through what Amritpal is here for, and hence him getting the clout and influence seems unlikely.

The last thing that India needs now is an internal security threat. With the world looking to India for its problems and India aspiring to be Vishwaguru, it cannot be caught napping while an internal security threat raises its ugly head. The Indian state thus has to act now before the "rumblings turn into the bugle of war."

Image Credits: Punjab News Express