SIT action puts sacrilege politics back in focus

The summoning of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Punjab Government, days after the Akal Takht had declared CM Bhagwant Mann as “Guru Dokhi”, is a development that cuts across religious, legal and political dimensions.

Though ruling AAP seems to be quite upbeat about the turn of investigations, especially with the Assembly elections round the corner, most experts on Sikh politics also feel that the issue is being raised now to keep the “public memory of the sacrilege incidents alive till the elections”. Leaders in the ruling party said AAP had promised to deliver justice in sacrilege cases. “As of now, all those whose names have cropped up in investigations are being summoned. The SIT will arrest those who were complicit in police action then,” said a senior leader.

The 2015 sacrilege incidents are among the most emotionally charged issues in Punjab’s recent religio-politico history. Though the Congress, which ruled the state from 2017 to 2022, just after the sacrilege incidents led to the ouster of the Akali- BJP government, had also promised justice. A large section of Sikhs believes that accountability for the police action had not been fixed.

This recent move of the AAP government to appoint an SIT and summon Sukhbir seems to be an attempt by AAP to assuage the hurt feelings and work their way into the hearts of Sikhs. Before Sukhbir, the DIG Harjeet Singh-led SIT had summoned and questioned former MLA Mantar Singh Brar and Gaggandip Singh Brar, the then OSD to the late Parkash Singh Badal, who was the CM when the incidents rocked Punjab.

This seems to be an attempt to present itself as an administration that is willing to go all the way after those responsible for sacrilege, irrespective of their political stature. However, experts feel there is nothing but a political motive behind the move. Surinder Singh Jodhka, an eminent sociologist, said AAP and its leaders were trying to regain the political ground the party had lost among Sikhs. “If they wanted to probe the incident and bring the guilty to book, the SIT should have been formed three or four years ago. Ruling AAP is clearly trying to target the Akalis,” he said.

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