People's Democracy

PUNJAB

Fundamentalism Still Poses A Threat: CPI(M)

THE Punjab state committee of the CPI(M) has expressed deep concern over the increasing activities of Sikh fundamentalists and extremists in the state and felt that they posed a threat to the hard-earned peace in the state and also to the unity and integrity of the country.

A resolution adopted by the two-day meeting of the state committee held on July 13-14 in Chandigarh dealt on this issue. The meeting was chaired by Rachhpal Singh.

The resolution stated that fundamentalist elements have resurfaced in Punjab as was evidenced by ugly events in the Golden Temple complex on June 6; the arrest of culprits responsible for bomb blasts in cinemas in Delhi to stop the screening of “Jo Bole So Nihal” movie; and the arrest of Babbar Khalsa International extremists, Jagtar Singh Hawara and others. It observed that these anti-social and anti-national elements are being abetted by American imperialists and therefore pose danger to the unity and integrity of the country.

The state committee squarely blamed the Akali Dal (Badal) for encouraging these anti- national elements by making irresponsible announcements like erecting memorial named Minar-A- Shaheedan in the memory of Bhindrawala and others who were killed in Operation Blue Star; by raising the so-called panthic issues which are otherwise non-issues; and by continuing its alliance with the BJP on the basis of a wrong and unscientific theory that Akali Dal represents Sikhs and BJP represents Hindus and their alliance is Hindu-Sikh unity.

The raising of so-called panthic issues is meant to divert the discontent of the people against privatisation and the agrarian crisis in the state. And the premise of its alliance with the BJP was in effect hardening the Hindu-Sikh communal divide, felt the CPI(M) state committee.

It also noted with concern that chief minister Captain Amrinder Singh has also contributed to the resurfacing of the Sikh fundamentalists and extremists by pursuing discredited policy of taking up so-called panthic issues to woo Sikh voters. He was also abetting Sikh fundamentalists to dent the Akali base for narrow electoral gains. The state committee warned the chief minister against using such harmful machinations, which as the experience of the 80s shows hardens communal divide and provides fodder to anti-national elements.

The state committee resolution urged upon the Amrinder Singh government to do the following immediately:

1. Work for political solution of lingering Punjab problem which consists of transferring Chandigarh to Punjab; settling of territorial claims and counter claims with Haryana and just distribution of surplus Ravi and Beas waters amongst Haryana and Punjab

2. Take effective administrative measures against extremist activities

3. Fight extremists ideologically by launching ideological campaign for secularism and patriotism

4. Stop privatisation of PSEB, schools and hospitals and fulfil the election promises made to the people.

The state committee has also called upon all Left and democratic forces in the state to ideologically combat the menace of Sikh fundamentalists and extremism with greater urgency.

The state committee took serious note of the growing corruption in the Congress state government. Stating that this has spread to highest levels of the government, the Party demanded that corruption should be checked and administration should be made responsive to the people.

The committee also strongly condemned the anti-working class policy of the Amrinder government and demanded that misuse of section 144 against struggling workers of cycle industry in Ludhiana be stopped with immediate effect and the trade union rights of the workers be recognised immediately by registering their unions.

The state committee deliberations were guided by Party Polit Bureau member S Ramchandran Pillai, who at the outset spoke on the central committee report on the recent international and national developments.

The state committee finalised an action plan for the countrywide movement on issues concerning land, food and employment called by the central committee. District wise jatha marches will be held through out the state during August 16-31 led by Party leaders. These jathas will address rallies and distribute leaflets on their route to popularise the demands.

It was also decided to launch a fortnight campaign from July 16 to 31, for increasing circulation and mobilising funds for the ideological-political organ of the Party state committee, Punjabi Lok Lehar.

The state committee also had in depth discussions for the preparation of one-year plan for the expansion and consolidation of the Party in the state. (INN)