Chandigarh, Punjab - Facing an uphill battle in the upcoming elections, and a possibility of a corruption trial, Akali Dal Badal, is vying for votes in a most desperate manner.
When Amarinder Singh held a hugh rally in Badal’s home town last week, Badal countered by setting up an “entertainment” stage a few kilometers away, complete with scantly clad dancing girls and vulgar music. Alcohol, cash, and flesh flow freely, all in the name of “Akali Dal’.
No longer a Panthic Party
The Akali Dal that once launched a morcha in support of implementing the “Anandpur Sahib Resolution” and the watered-down “Amritsar Elan-nama”, is now even apologizing to their Hindu masters for their past “disrespect” of the Indian constitution.
In mid 1980s, the Shiromani Akal Dal demanded the withdrawal of Article 25 of the Indian Constitution which blended the Sikhs as Hindus. In 1983 the Akali leaders burnt copied of Article 25 in front of Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib, close to the Parliament House, to demonstrate their disapproval of the Article.
Badal is now apologizing for his actions from the 1980s and states that he did it out of pressure from his party. This is in line with his previous statements where he has apologized for joining the ‘Dharm Yudh Morcha’ which eventually led to the Khalistan movement of the mid 1980s and ‘90s. He is completely silent on the welfare of hundereds of Sikh political prisoners that are languishing in India's jails - many of then were detained since the mid 1980s.
It is clear that Shiromani Akal Dal (Badal), no longer represents the voice or the aspirations of the Sikh nation. It is currently being controlled entirely by ‘godfather’ Parkash Badal solely for his family’s self interest. Badal is alleged to have amassed hundreds of millions in wealth and property during his stints as chief minister of Punjab. The corruption case on this disproportionate amass of assets could go on trial as early as 2007.
Badal Family Center Stage
A recent political rally held by the Akali Dal, on the aging Badal’s birthday, Badal was projected was a rare son of Punjab. Songs by professional musicians and Dhadis praised the father and son Badal as if they were our great Sikh Gurus or our Shaheeds. One of songs stated that “Birth of great man such as Badal is a rare act of God” and another one gloats that “Following Guru Sahib’s great command of ‘Jabai Bann Lagio, Tabai Roass Jagio’ Sukhbir Badal has sacrificed his luxuries to awaken the youth, he is the new rising sun, and twinkling star of Punjab.”
The songs failed to mention the mountains of treachery and corruption that the Badal Empire is built upon. Panthic organizations have not forgotten his connections to the RSS, Nakli-Nirankaris, Aushutosh Noormehlia, and his dubious role during the Vaisakhi 1978 Massacre, the June 1984 on Sri Darbar Sahib, and his constant meddling in the affairs of Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
Does the Punjab of today no longer differentiate between truth and treason? Only time will tell.
