M A I N   N E W S

Tohra to revive “original SAD”
P.P.S. Gill
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 16
Mr G.S. Tohra is proactive working for a “Panthic convention” at Akal Takht to revive the “the original” Shiromani Akali Dal, which over the decades, has several times got divided into fractions and factions.

For this Mr Tohra has first to re-establish his hold over the SGPC and appoint a Jathedar of his choice at Akal Takht. As he assiduously works for these objectives, he makes it clear that he is not in the race for any post or office in the “revived SAD”.

“The opportunity that the SAD got to rule for five years stands wasted and abandoned. Today, the Congress is in power, all due to Mr Badal. There is no second-line leadership that can take over the reigns of the party. The SAD has never been allowed to grow, expand and function to articulate the aspirations of party workers and the Sikhs. All its wings and federations have remained dormant and defunct. This is one reason, I want to revive the ‘the original’ SAD by involving intellectuals from all walks of life”.

In a wide-ranging interview with TNS today, Mr Tohra said he was considering writing his memories (“before the memory fades out”) to set the “Panthic record” straight.

Mr Tohra says if “ego” has been the main cause for factionalism, among the Akali leaders, “Panthic compulsions” have remained a common denominator for the ‘friends-now-foes-again’ syndrome. At 78 plus, he still vividly remembers sweet-bitter memories of men and matters and narrates with ease events and episodes of years gone by.

He was clear on issues pertaining to politicians and bureaucrats, Punjab, administration, economy, agriculture, Akali Dal’s future, Sikhs, youth etc. and minced no words while attacking political opponents.

“There has to be a minimum qualification for the politicians and a maximum age, after which they must retire. The upper age limit should be 65 years. A politician must be at least a graduate and an Akali leader well-versed with Sikh history and religion,” he added.

Punjab today stood “destroyed”. If the kisan was facing a water and power shortage, got unremunerative prices for his produce and the youth was in wilderness for want of employment avenues and direction, the blame must be apportioned, as much to the politicians as to the bureaucracy.

Mr Tohra warned of a social upheaval — “revolution” if economic imbalance was not corrected. Punjab had no friends in New Delhi, be it the Congress (“we have experienced its discrimination”) or the BJP-led NDA Government (“what has Punjab gained despite Mr Parkash Singh Badal blindly following the BJP?”).

He was skeptical of either enactment of the All-India Sikh Gurdwara Act or elections to the SGPC, which were jinxed over the grant of voting rights to “Sehajdhari” Sikhs. He said the Centre, irrespective of the political party in power, perceived that an all-India Act would encourage a “state within a state”.There was no mention of the word “Sehajdhari” in the 1925 Act. Mr Tohra felt the same principle be applied as prevailing in the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Act.

The old warhorse talked in anguish about the “betrayal” of the Panth by Mr Badal and his coterie. He did not tire reminiscing and ruminating about how he (Mr Tohra) was treated and maligned just because Mr Badal was “intolerant” of any constructive criticism and was mesmerized by the “son syndrome”. Mr Tohra was appreciative of the “serious and sincere” efforts of Capt Amarinder Singh in eradicating corruption from the politico-administrative system. Unfortunately, not all his ministers were with him, Mr Tohra felt.

But Mr Tohra warned the Chief Minister that he must begin his administrative and financial reforms by first tackling the bureaucracy, the police and the PSEB. Mr Tohra, however, was at his best when hitting out at his Akali opponents or recalling behind-the-scene happenings whenever crises enveloped Sikh politics and religion. Earlier in the day, he addressed a press conference, where he gave his side of the story and explanation about his role before and after “Operation Bluestar”. He was commenting on the excerpts published in The Tribune from “Operation Black Thunder — an eyewitness account of militancy in Punjab” by the then Deputy Commissioner, Mr Sarbjeet Singh.

In his nearly 90-minute monologue, he allowed the journalists a peep into the past, the way he wanted. His narration of some of the facts and events was debatable. He, however, said many books had been written yet none had ever bothered to talk to him, as he was the “main character”, but had attributed quotes and views to him that he had never expressed. He dared the author and Mr Badal to have an “open debate”.