Preventive arrest of over 2000 Sarbat Khalsa activists shows undeclared emergency in Punjab/By Sukhpal Singh Khaira

It appears that Sh. Badal and the SAD once votary of human rights and opponent of “emergency”, have taken a complete 360 degrees ‘U’-turn to muzzle the voice of their own Sikh community, by illegally and unconstitutionally arresting thousands of people. This is nothing but a direct attack on the fundamental right of all citizens as enshrined in our constitution for freedom of speech and expression. Such large scale arrests of Sarbat Khalsa leaders and activists shows, that the Badals have imposed undeclared emergency in Punjab and are misusing the police to settle scores with their political opponents. It is saddening to note, that historic institutions like the Sarbat Khalsa, SGPC and the Akal Takhat Sahib are being destroyed by the so called “Panthic” and Akali government themselves.
It appears that fascist, racist and fundamental organisations like the RSS have more liberty in Punjab under the Akalis, than the peace loving Sikhs and Punjabi’s. It’s a matter of record, that the RSS had organised an armed show of strength in Mansa in June 2014 vitiating the peace, but the Badals remained a mute spectator and did nothing against such anti national elements.
The dichotomy and double standards of Sh. Badal also stands exposed as he has himself violated the constitution and the law many more times than the Sarbat Khalsa protagonist. It was Sh. Badal who burnt the constitution of India before the Parliament in 1982 demanding amendment to Article 25 of the constitution. He is also responsible for inciting violence in Punjab by being a vital part of Dharam Yudh and other morcha’s in the eighties. He is also responsible for creating a 1 lac strong force of Marjeevara’s (living martyrs) before the Akal Takhat in 1982, that led to violence and bloodshed in Punjab. Sh. Badal was also a part of a delegation led by Simranjit Singh Mann in 1992, to meet the then UNO Secretary General Boutras Boutras Ghali, demanding an independent Sikh state of Khalistan.
If the above said activities are not considered anti national and did not vitiate peace in Punjab, the organisation of Sarbat Khalsa is nothing compared to the above stated acts of Sh. Badal and SAD.
It is now amply clear, that the Badals are implementing the anti Sikh hidden agenda of RSS by arresting Sarbat Khalsa leaders, or by shielding and promoting anti Sikh officers and by denying justice to the families of two Sikh youth killed in the Bargadi police firing.
Although I am not a votary of the agenda of Sarbat Khalsa or its organisers, but as an aware citizen, I cannot be a mute spectator to brazen violation of human rights of the people of Punjab.
Therefore, I strongly castigate and condemn the arrest of thousands of Sarbat Khalsa activists and leaders throughout Punjab and demand their immediate release.
(Sukhpal Singh Khaira is Ex-MLA and Spokesperson, AAP in Punjab)