Thomas Sowell, noted American economist had once said, “Deception is one of the quickest ways to gain little things and lose big things” — this aptly sums up the reality of the Aam Aadmi Party’s Punjab governance so far. AAP fought the 2022 Punjab assembly election with the promise to transform the winter of discontent into a glorious summer but instead the state is witnessing a naked dance of lawlessness, terror attacks, crime and death.
The recent ‘rocket attack’ on Sarhali Police station in the Tarn Taran district and the brazenness with which a declared radical outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) is claiming responsibility, cocking a snook at administrators, has posed a valid question in the mind of every Punjabi — is Punjab headed for dark times again?
The chronology of incidents of terror has stirred a sense of fear and paranoia in the people of Punjab.
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Violence making a comeback
The first 21 days of AAP’s rule witnessed 19 murders, including two famous kabbadi players (Sandeep Singh ‘Nangal Ambian’ and Dharminder Singh). The state also saw a violent takeover of truck unions that involved leaders associated with the new government. Recovery of explosive device near the Burail jail in Chandigarh; clashes in Patiala among two groups; RPG attack on Punjab intelligence headquarters; recovery of RDX in Tarn Taran; and brutal gunning down of Sidhu Moose Wala have all happened since the AAP took over.
The ebullient Punjabi spirit has been dampened by signs of revival of extremist elements, a matter of grave concern as neither Punjab nor India can afford resurgence of terror in another border state. These events clearly show that the AAP government has butter fingers when it comes to law and order situation in the state. Crime is rampant because of the loose command control and misplaced priorities of the decision makers, particularly Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
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Understand Punjab
For the sake of peace and prosperity of Punjab, immediate course correction is required. To begin with, Mann should realise that he is the chief minister of the state and not some ‘Prachar Mantri (‘campaign minister’)’ of Kejriwal. The well-founded perception that Punjab is being run by Delhi is hurting the Punjabi pride and shaking the faith of the electorate. Instead of dodging accountability, the AAP government needs to come out of its propaganda cocoon of ‘accusing others of what you are guilty of’ and face the reality and deliver the governance it promised.
Rather than focusing on generating headlines by withdrawing/curtailing security of 424 people (whether on basis of political audit or threat audit remains unknown) and deputing police personnel with AAP brigade, the administrators must concentrate on managing Punjab with the understanding of its geography, history, politics, culture and not superimpose the failed ‘Delhi Model’. Most importantly, Mann should not allow the resources of Punjab to be diverted to achieve the political dreams of Arvind Kejriwal.
Apart from concerns and welfare of three crore people of the state, one must not forget that Punjab is also key to India’s security strategy vis a vis Pakistan. The state shares a 425-km-long border with Pakistan. There have been consistent efforts from the other side of the border to create disturbances by infiltrating terrorists, sending weapons by drones and targeting the youth through narco-terrorism. The changing political dynamics in Pakistan (coupled with the rise of Taliban in Afghanistan) and its economic turmoil are also notes of caution for the government of Punjab to strengthen institutions of security and establish trust in the state.
Punjab is too important a state to be dealt in a casual manner or exhibiting fault lines that can be exploited by our adversary. The geo-politics of Punjab demands a strong government and cessation of peace will be a big setback for all stakeholders.
The social and cultural foundations of Punjab are strong enough to counter any kind of insurgency. The state government needs to realise these strengths and act decisively to prevent the state from going back on the path of terrorism. The violence and sacrifices in the history of Punjab should not come back as the state cannot afford another era of misadventures and darkness. Bhagwant Mann should remember that voters gave “ek mauka (one chance)” to AAP. This favour should not be returned by giving “many jhatkas”—many shocks—to the law-and-order situation in the state.
Jaiveer Shergill is a Supreme Court Lawyer and National Spokesperson, Bharatiya Janata Party. Views are personal.
(Edited by Anurag Chaubey)