The proceedings of the so-called world Sikh convention in Amritsar on Sunday do not leave the slightest scope for doubt that its conveners have learnt nothing from the bitter experience of recent months and remain adamant in the pursuit of politics of confrontation. In name the convention was called by the five head priests. But in reality they were nothing more than a front for the Akali Dal and the SGPC leaders, whether in jail or outside. By behaving the way they have since the first week of June when the Union government was forced to order the army to go into the Golden Temple to end its occupation by the armed followers of Bhindranwale, they have exposed their true character. If they had been genuine moderates who could not reach an agreement with the Union government out of fear of Bhindranwale and his gang, they could, in the wake of the liquidation of the extremist hard core, have allowed passions to cool so that a proper atmosphere could have been created for resumption of talks between them and the authorities. They did nothing of the kind. On the contrary, they have taken one provocative step after another, making it obvious that they would spare no effort to ensure that normalcy not restored in Punjab. They have prevented Baba Kharak Singh from starting “kar seva” at the Golden Temple; they have preached hatred against the Head of State little realizing that the President of the Republic is above partisan and communal considerations; they have tried to obstruct the “karseva” undertaken by Baba Santa Singh in the interest of the Sikh community and the larger Indian nation; and finally they have held the convention as if to serve notice on the Union government that they would continue to challenge its authority. No wonder Bhindranwale supporters felt free publicly to raise pro-Khalistan slogans at the convention.
And witness the language the organizers of the convention have used. They have not requested the Centre to withdraw the army from the Golden Temple. They have served an ultimatum on the Union government. Either it withdraws the army by September 30 or faces the consequences. They must know that Mrs Gandhi is not the kind of leader to yield to such blackmail, however keen she might be to let bygones be bygones and resume the dialogue with them. It will be charitable to believe that they do not realize the implications of their actions. But to make and accept such an interpretation might be another exercise in escapism which the nation can ill-afford. In any case there can be no talks so long as the Akalis and the SGPC leaders do not provide evidence of good faith. The Union home minister has laid down four conditions for resumption of negotiations with the Akalis. The conditions are unexceptionable. But perhaps the time has not yet come for the Union government to make a gesture of goodwill to them. They must first be convinced that their present tactics would not pay. More than the authorities the people of India will need to be convinced that the Akalis are not pursuing Bhindranwale’s goal “by other means”.