M.A. (POLITICAL SCIENCE) PART II PAPER-VII (OPTION-II) SEMESTER-IV (PUNJAB POLITICS)

LESSON NO. 2.5 AUTHOR : Dr. J.S. BRAR

EMERGING TRENDS IN PUNJAB POLITICS State politics in has a dynamism of its own and cannot be easily placed in neat and clearly demarcated categories. In fact, the states in India are marked by enormous diversity in terms of religion language caste and culture. This diversity has been further multiphed by differences in their historical traditions levels of education and patterns of economic development. As such, politics in each Indian state has some peculiarities of its own while at the same time it may have something in common with the politics of other states. In this lesson, we shall briefly discuss the sahent features of Punjab politics and on that basis try to delineate its emerging trends. Salient Features of Punjab Politics : The changing pattern of Punjab politics can be understood only if we take into consideration the peculiarities of the local environment of the state. But this task is not so easy and poses certain insurmountable problems. As the physical boundaries, social composition of population and economy of the state have constantly been undergoing change. It is not possible to take the regional environment as a fixed category. But inspite of this relative dynamism there have been some permanent factors in the environment of the state which have shaped and influenced its politics. A brief discussion of these factors may help us in understanding the nature of Punjab politics and in determining its emerging trends. Religion has perhaps been the single most important factor in the Politics of the state. It has been instrumental in shaping the political orientations of different social group in the state. During the pre-partition days the conflict among the Muslims; Hindus and -provided the main impetus to the politics of this region. The demand for Pakistan was opposed both by the Hindus and the Sikhs. Sharp communal polarisation not only led to the disintegration of the Unionist Party but also resulted in Communal Carnage at the time of partition. Subsequently, religion become a major factor in dividing the Sikhs and Hindus along communal lines. The demand for the reorganisation of the after partition was always interpreted by the Hindus as a communal demand for the creation of a Sikh state. Religious differences between the two communities sometimes took the shape of linguistic controversies between the protagonists of Punjabi and Hindi languages. The Hindu's refused to accept Punjabi as their mother tongue and preferred Hindi for this, purpose, because it helped them in making Punjab a bilingual state. 92 M.A. (Political Science) Part-II 93 PAPER-VII (OPTION-II) Religious differences between the Hindus and Sikhs have been further strengthened because of the actual dispersal of the population belonging to these communities. The Sikhs are mainly confined to rural areas and the Hindus to urban centres. The rural-urban orientation has further strengthened communal polarisation in the state. Punjab politics has also been marked by a strong feeling of regionalism. Before the reorganison of the state in 1966, regionalism manifested it self in the shape of certain culture, religious and linguistic differences among the three regions of the state viz. Hill region. Haryana and Punjab region. The demand of the Sikh community for the recognition of its separate identity sometimes in the form of a Sikh state at others in terms of a linguistic state further intensified the parochial feelings among these regions. After 1966, regional feelings however, took the shape of differences between the state and the central government. The akali dal a regionally based party, has often accused Government of discrimination against the state. Another significant feature of the environment of the state is its growing economic propriety. Punjab has the highest per capita income in the country. The main reason for the economic prosperity of the state is the modernisation of its agriculture. Growth in agriculture has given impetus to the development of small and medium sized industries. The growing prosperity of the state however, has generated new tensions and led to the emergence of new political alignments. It has widened the rural-urban divide and accentuated the contradictions between the peasantry and the land labour. Emerging Trends in Punjab Politics After analysing the important features of the regional environment, we shall now briefly discuss the emerging trends in the politics of the state on the basis of socio-economic changes and the political turmon that it has experienced during the past few years. We shall being our analysis discussing the structural changes in the economy of the state in the wake of green revolution and their impact on the politics of the state. Green Revolution and Emerging Class Contradictions : It continues to be a moot point as to which section of the Punjab society have benefitted most from the green revolution. But there is no denying the fact that the affluence generated by the green revolution has sharpened the class contradictions in the content of Akali politics in the state. As rich peasants constitute the dominant section in the leadership of the Akali Dal, they were forced to evolve new strategies to protect their class interests. One of the device employed by them was to raise the demand for greater autonomy to states and it led to the adoption of the Anandpur Sahib resolution by the Akali Dal in 1973. There are several versions of this controversial revolution. But the one officially adopted by the Akali Dal at its annual conference at Ludhiana in 1978, demanded the restructuring of centre- M.A. (Political Science) Part-II 94 PAPER-VII (OPTION-II) state relations and decentralisations of powers. It emphasized that the jurisdiction of the central government should be confined only to four subjects viz, foreign affairs, defence currency and communications. The states should be allowed to have their separate constitutions. The Anandpur Sahib Resolution also demanded the redrawing of the boundaries of Punjab so as to include left out Punjabi speaking areas belonging to Himachal Pardesh, Haryana and Rajasthan. It also included such demands as the enactment of an All India Gurdwara Act, and grant of second language status to Punjabi in Himachal, Haryana and other neighbouring states. However, the most controversial part of the resolution relation to the demand that in the new state Sikhs should be in predominant position. The prolonged Akali agitation for the implementations of the Anandpur Sahib Resolution and the acceptance of its other demands has completely changed the shape and contact of Punjab Politics. It hampered the trend towards secularisation in the politics of the state and led to sharp communal polarisation. But the revival of the Akali-BJP alliance is likely to reduce communal tensions in the state. Emerging Trends in Party System : The Akali agitation for the implementation of the Anandpur Sahib Resolution has considerably influenced the nature of the party system. Party system in Punjab particularly after the reorganisation of the state in 1966, was marked by a dualistic competition between the Akali Dal and the for supremacy, But this competition gradually took the shape of alliance politics in which the smaller parties tried to enter into coalition with either the Akali Dal or the congress. The Akali Dal formed a with the other non-Congress parties in 1967 to keep the Congress out of power. The CPM also supported the United Front Ministry without joining it. The Akali Dal was in a position to keep the congress out of power in the state from 1967 to 1972 through its attempts at communal coalition building with the Jana Sangh. The Congress responded to this challenge by entering into an electoral alliance with the CPI. It was successful in ousting the Akali Dal from power during the 1972 Assembly elections. For a time it appeared that the dualistic competition between the two major parties with smaller parties as electoral alhes on either side would endure and get institutionalised in due course of time. But the political developments in the state during the past few years have shattered these hopes and have significantly altered the nature of party competition in the state. The communal polarisation in the wake of terrorist violence and has forced the Akali Dal and the BJP to drift apart. Though there were reports that the two parties cooperated with each other in some constituencies during the 1985 Assembly elections in the state, but the sharp polarisation between the Hindus and Sikhs because of their sectarian outlook about M.A. (Political Science) Part-II 95 PAPER-VII (OPTION-II) the political crisis in Punjab precluded the possibility of earher close understanding between the Akali Dal and the B.J.P. Similarly, the two Communist Parties have drifted away both from the Akali Dal and Congress because of their irrational approach in dealing with the Punjab problem. In this process, the CPI and CPM have come closer to each other, a clear testimony of this relationship was their electoral alliance during the 1985 assembly elections. It is thus evident that the party system in Punjab has undergone a significant change during the last few years, From dualistic model, with smaller electoral alhes with the major competitors, it has taken the shape of fragmented Pluralism. It may take a pretty long time for a new alliance pattern to emerge. Another interesting development that has taken place in relation to party system has been the strengthening of factional conflict in almost all political parties in the state. To a certain extent, factional conflict in inherent in the nature of political parties, but the one that has come into existence during the past few years is something of a different nature. The leadership and the rank and file of most of the political parties in the state have been affected by the communal divide between the Hindus and the Sikhs. We find considerable covergence of opinion though it may not be always openly expressed among leaders of the same religious persuasion belonging to different political parties. In this way, factional conflict in political parties, apart from being influenced by such factors as personal rivalries and struggle for power, has tended to assume a communal shape. But of ate personality clashes and ideological differences have again become important in determining the nature of factionlism. Emerging Trends in Voting Behaviour : The political developments in Punjab and the resultant communal polarisation have significantly influenced the voting behaviour in the state, After the reorganisation of the state in 1966, the Akali Dal had made constant efforts to increase its support base among the Hindus and the Harijans. Its electoral alliance with Jana Sangh during the period 1967-71 considerable helped it in broadening its support base among the non-Sikhs. But of the 1985 Assembly elections in Punjab, the Akali dal again ahenated the Hindus and the Harijans. The Hindus and Harijans do not appreciate the fundamentalist posture adopted by a section of the Akali Dal. Similarly Congress Party has been successful in getting votes from all sections of the people in Punjab during the past elections, But during the 1985 elections, the Sikhs voted against the Congress in large numbers because of the Operation Blue Star & anti-sikh riots in Delhi in the wake of Mrs. Indra Gandhi's assassination. It was largely because of the anti-Congress sentiment than the Akali Dal was in a position to win 73 seats in the assembly of 117 seats without entering into an alliance with any other party. But the Congress has recovered some of its base in the peasantry after the 1992 assembly elections. M.A. (Political Science) Part-II 96 PAPER-VII (OPTION-II) Equally significant is the change that has taken place in the support base of the smaller parties. The strengthening of the support base of the Congress among the Hindus, the Harijans has adversely affected the position of the Bhartiya Janataparty among the former and the communist parties among the latter. In fact, the Hindus and Harijans took towards the congress of protection against the aggressive postures of the Akali Dal. The communist parties in the state have also been adversely affected by the latest political developments. They have lost support among the rural peasantry because of their opposition to the growing extremism and fundamentalism in the Akali Dal. In short, it will no longer be possible for the political parties to moderate communal cleavages in the politics of the state and the voting behaviour is likely to be influenced by communal considerations. Emerging Trends in Pressure Groups Politics The politics of pressure groups has also been influenced by the political happenings the state, Since the state had to be placed under President's rule after the fall of Darbara Singh Ministry. It was a period of subdued activity on the part of pressure groups. However, some pressure groups particularly those associated with religion in one form of the other have been very active. For instance, All India Sikh Students Federation has been very active during the past few years and has acquired considerable political clout because of its association with extremist politics in the state. The Imposition of a ban on its activities of the government further raised its prestige, In order to counter the activities of the extremists, some pressure groups associated with the Hindu community, particulary Hindu Suraksha Samiti and the Hindu Sangathans became very active. In this way stage in the field of pressure groups activity was held by religion based groups. But a notable exception has been the Bhartiya Kisan Union which has launched some important agitations during this otherwise abnormal situation. But of later is has shed its non-political character it worked against the Akali Dal (B) candidates and entered into all electoral Alliance with Akali (A). Emerging Trends in Pattern of Leadership As Punjab is primarily an agricultural based economy, political leadership in the state irrespective of party identification, has largely come from the rural peasantry. The Jat Sikhs being a dominant caste in the state, have provided leadership to all political parties in the state except the BJP which is primiarily a party with Hindu orientation. But there have been some specific changes in the general pattern. The political turmon in the state brought youth to the forefront substantial increase. Apart from youth, the position of such person as have illiterate or semiliterate backward and fundamentalist orientation, has also been strengthened in the emerging leadership pattern in the state. The leaders of this category played a significant role in the launched by the M.A. (Political Science) Part-II 97 PAPER-VII (OPTION-II) Akali Dal and pretest organised the Hindu Communcal Organisations to oppose it. Rise of Religious Fundamentalism The affluence generated by the Green Revolution considerably affected the Sikh way of life. The Sikh youth became a victim of such vices as trimming of beard, smoking and drug abuse and was not prepared to observe the basic tenants of Sikh faith. The Sikh clergy raised the buggery of Sikh identity being in danger. Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwala articulated the views of the section of the Sikh community and rose to eminence within a short span of the time on this basis. Realising that Bhindrawala posed a serious challenge to their position the Akali leadership also began to talk in the idioms of fundamentalism while articulating the demands of the Sikhs community. Emphasis was placed on such issued as enactment of an All India Gurdwara Act, declaration of as Holi city and enactment of a separate personal law for the Sikhs. As a Reaction to those developments in the Akali politics. Hindu communal organisations in Punjab which had remained dormant after the reorganisation of the state in 1966 revived their activities Organisations like Hindu Suraksha Samit, Hindus Sanghthan and started talking of protecting the interests of the Hindu in Punjab against the intransigence of the Akali Dal. In this atmosphere of competition among religious organisations the atmospher of fundamentalism in the state was strengthened. Dharam Yudh Morcha the Politics of Confrontation The Akali Dal launched a prolonged agitation, called Dharam Yudh Morcha, in August 1982 to get the Anandpur Sahib resoluation implemented. The Congress, government, however, interpreted it as an attempt to bring down the Congress ministry in the State and to capture political power. If viewed the agitation as a familiar tactic of the Akali Dal in a situation when it was out of power in the state. But the support extended by the fundamentalists led by Sant Jarnail Singh to the agitation turned it into a powerful mass movement of the Sikh Community. But the Congress government was not willing to concede the demands of Akali Dal because it could have adverse effect on its electoral prospects. Prolonged negotiations between the central government and the Akali Dal, in which opposition parties were also involved failed to solve the problem. The Akali Dal, leadership interpreted the attitude of the central government towards the agitations as part of Mrs. Indira Gandhi's general policy of draft in dealing with all types of agitations. These conflicting perspectives about the issues involved in the agitation led to direct confrontation between the Akali Dal and the central government. The Akali Dal resort to such pressure tactics as Rasta Roko, boycott of Asian games and civil disobedience to sustain the agitation. The government, on its part, decided to deal with such tactics with a heavy hand. It led to be growth of communal violence in the state and ultimately to operation Blus Star. M.A. (Political Science) Part-II 98 PAPER-VII (OPTION-II) The entry of the army in the Golden Temple and subsequent murder of Mrs. Indira Gandhi and communal violence against the Sikhs in many parts of the country as a sequel to it, have severely strained the relations between the two major communities in the state. The Sikhs not only hold the government but the Hindus also to be responsible for what has happened to them. The Hindus, on the other hand accuse the Akali leadership of deliverately encouraging extremist and secessionist activities for achieving its partisan political ends. But the bitterness between the two communities has gradually been reduced. Rajiv-Longowal Accord the Politics of Reconciliation After becoming the Prime Minister of the country Rajiv Gandhi gave up priority to the solution of the Punjab problem. As a result of its conciliatory approach and magnimity on the part of Sant Harchand Singh Longowal, the late President of the Akali Dal, a solution to the Punjab problem was found by signing the Rajiv- Longowal accord. The accord envisaged the transfer of to Punjab on January, 26, 1986 and simultaneous transfer of Hindi-speaking areas of Punjab to Haryana in hue of Chandigarh. It also made clear that Satluj Yamuna Link Canal would be completed by 15th August, 1986. The water dispute of Punjab and Haryana was to be referred to a Tribunal top be set up by the central government and other territorial disputed between the two states would be decided by another commission. The accord also envisaged the rehabilitation of the army personnel which had deserted their duty after Operation Blus Star and release of all innocent sikhs arrested during the Akali agitation. The signing of the accord brought a sense of rehef to the people of Punjab and it was rough weather. The Mathew Commission appointed by the central government could not determine the Hindi-speaking areas to be transferred to Haryana in hue of Chandigarh. Consequently, Chandigarh could not be transferred to Punjab as stipulated in the accord. The central government then announced that it will be transferred to Punjab on June 21, 1986. But the report submitted by the Venkataremaiah Commission was not accepted by Punjab and Haryana. There seems no immediate possibility of the implementation of the Punjab Accord. Formation of Barnala Ministry and the Subsequent Developments Elections were held in the state in September, 1995 and the Akali Dal emerged victorious with a tally of 73 assembly seats. A new Akali ministry was formed in the state with as Chief Minister. He was subsequently elected as Party President. But the Akali Dal ministry had to face a number of challenges right from its inception. One can assess the magnitude of these challenges from the fact that Surjit Barnala was not able to expand his cabinet for almost a year after his Assumption of office. And when he finally decided to expand it, he hand to do it in such a manner that everyone became a minister. The Akali Ministry was threatened from different directions. Firstly, the, Dimdami M.A. (Political Science) Part-II 99 PAPER-VII (OPTION-II) Taksai and United Akali Dal were out to bring down the Barnala Ministry. Secondly, the dissident Akali leaders who formed a separate group in the Legislative Assembly under the leadership of Captain claimed to be the real Akali Dal and exhorted the people to boycott the ministeralists. The Barnala Ministry became dependent on the Congress for its survival and one could guess that it would not continue in power for long under such circumstances. The failure of the central government to the Rajiv-Longowal accord eroded the legitimacy of the Barnala Ministry. The growing terrorist violence in the state coupled with the political compulsions of the Congress (1) in Haryana led to the dismissal of the Barnala Ministry and imposition of President's rule into state, the elections to took place. In this election held in November, 1989 the Mann group of Akali Dal emerged victorious and captured (6) seats out of 13. Two Independents two and one B.J.P. member were also elected with its support. In he recent assembly elections held in February, 1992. All the major Akali groups have boycotted the elections. There seems to be no possibility of an immediate solution of Punjab crisis. However, for the time being the situation had been forcibly controlled by in the state under the leader group of (C.M.). Punjab is passing through the most crucial phase of its history. The political turmon that it has passed through the past few years has completely changed the nature of the politics of the state. It has strengthened the forces of communalism undamentalism and extremism. What concrete shape the politics of the state is likely to take would largely depend on the political strategies of the contending forces the Akali Dal and the Congress. It appears that the central government will not solve the Punjab problem till the next general elections in the country. But the support in violence during the President Rule clearly indicates that if no political solution is found to Punjab problem and it is, allowed to drag on for another two years, it may become almost impossibly to restore normal political process in the state. Punjab crisis cannot be solved except through normal geniue political initative. After assassination of Beant Singh in bomb blast, H.S. Brar became C.M. and later on, Bhattal became C.M. of the state. Just after few months, assembly elections took place and Akali-BJP alliance formed Govt. headed by S. as C.M. In 2002 Congress Party won the elections and formed a government under the leadership of Captain Amarinder Singh. In 2004 Captain Amarinder Singh led punjab government passed the Punjab Termination of Agreement Act, 2004. However Supreme Court nullified this Act in 2016 but this bold decision enhanced the political status of Captain Amarinder Singh. M.A. (Political Science) Part-II 100 PAPER-VII (OPTION-II) Issue of Drugs and Farmer Suicides : In the second decade of twenty first century the dominant issues in Punjab politics are Drug addiction among punjabi youths and farmer suicides in rural punjab. Even Akali Dal lost badly in 2017 elections due to failure of SAD-BJP governments in tackling of these issues during the period of 2007 to 2017.

Type Setting: Department of Distance Education, Punjabi University, Patiala.