Political Game

The real political dynamism behind this high conspiracy to demoralise and destroy Sikhism as a world-religion and to liquidate Sikhs as a political people, has been known in knowledgeable circles for the I last over a dozen years, but there has been a conspiracy of silence, to keep mum over it, by the national media and the political power wielders, for reasons of expediency. In an early last week issue of April, 1978 of the Chandigarh edition, the Daily Indian Express, however a public-spirited leader, Sat Pal Baghi of Ferozepore, has spelt out briefly some of the unvarnished truth, as follows:

"The genesis of the real trouble between the Nirankaris and Akalis goes back to the years when Mrs. Indira Gandhi headed the Union Government. She wanted to weaken the Shiromani Akali Dal but found that Akalis could not be brought to heel. She thought of an elaborate plan to strengthen the Nirankari sect not only in Punjab but throughout the country and abroad also. Official patronage was extended to the Nirankaris much to the chagrin of Akalis who have always considered the Nirankaris as heretics.

In pursuit of this policy of divide and rule, Mrs. Gandhi personally gave clearance for a diplomatic passport to be issued to the Nirankari Chief, and the Indian High Commissioners and Ambassadors abroad were instructed to show him respect and regard. This was meant to help the sect to improve its image and increase its following abroad.

During Mrs. Gandhi's regime, the Nirankaris were known to be receiving financial help from secret Government funds, not open to audit or scrutiny by Parliament.

During the Emergency the recalcitrant attitude of the Akalis further annoyed Mrs. Gandhi and Mr. Sanjay Gandhi. Efforts for building a parallel organisation among the Sikhs of Punjab as a counterblast to the Akalis were intensified. At the instance of Mrs. Gandhi, the Congress regime, began giving greater official patronage to the Nirankari, sect. Mr. H. S. Chhina, I.A.S., a staunch Nirankari, was appointed Chief Secretary to the Punjab Government in 1976.

As a result of open official patronage and support this sect got a considerable boost within the administrative set-up of the Punjab Government. Mr. Chhina appointed Mr. Niranjan Singh, I.A.S., as Deputy Commissioner of Gurdaspur. Mr. Niranjan Singh tried his best to enlarge the field of operation of the Nirankari. It is during this period that the Sant of Bhindranwale took up he challenge posed by this growing sect."

Sat Pal Baghi might have also added that the Government of India directive to their ambassadors abroad specifically stated that all necessary steps must be taken to boost Gurbachan Singh amongst the Sikhs settled abroad.