No one in Punjab wants Khalistan, says Wadala

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 1
“There is no demand for Khalistan in Punjab,” asserted Gurpartap Singh Wadala, convener of the rebel Akali Dal group, allaying fears of the return of terrorism. About the victory of pro-Khalistan activist Amritpal Singh in the recent Lok Sabha elections, he said it was the result of “leadership vacuum in the state”.

Sukhbir Badal had several opportunities to resign while taking responsibility for the mistakes that harmed the Sikh Panth and resulted in the continuous decline of the party. But he refused to give up the post.

In an exclusive interview with Associate Editor Sanjeev Singh Bariana and Deputy Editor Jupinderjit Singh for The Tribune’s show ‘Decode Punjab’, Wadala said, “Khalistan word is being thrust into our mouths. There is no such issue in Punjab. Khalistan has become a slogan... more for the Sikhs settled abroad. It’s a slogan of rebellion as you have done injustice to Punjab. Our problems have not been addressed. We have nowhere to go and nobody to fall back upon.”

Wadala’s comment was sought in the backdrop of the ongoing friction in the Akali Dal, resulting in a talk on possibility of more space to hardliners such as Amritpal, who won from Khadoor Sahib despite being lodged in an Assam jail on the charge of indulging in anti-India activities.
Wadala along with former MP Prem Singh Chandumajra and other leaders had visited Amritpal’s house the day they submitted a letter to the Akal Takht Jathedar on the “mistakes” committed by the SAD leadership. The rebel group convener said Amritpal had “committed some mistakes, but there clearly was no support for Khalistan”. “If they (right-wingers) can demand a Hindu rashtra, some people can pitch for Khalistan too. But the Sikhs, by and large, don’t support Khalistan. We can talk about Khalsa Raj, but within India’s boundaries. Amritpal indulged in ‘Amrit Sanchar’ and worked against drugs, but what he did at the (Ajnala) police station was wrong.” Amritpal had barged into the police station to free one of his supporters who was arrested by the police.
On the way ahead for the rebels who had been expelled from the SAD, Wadala said they had no plans as yet to float a new party. He said incumbent party president Sukhbir Singh Badal had several opportunities to resign claiming “responsibility for the mistakes that harmed the Sikh Panth and resulted in the continuous decline of the party; but he refused to give up the post”.
“Sacrificing anything is valued high in the Sikh Panth. But Sukhbir could not do it,” said Wadala. He said before seeking changes in the SAD leadership, they had been advising him since 2017 on various internal forums to resign and give space to fresh faces. He said the Akalis should have led the farmer movements. “We have been fighting for the farmers for long. Why did we lose the trust of the famers now? This has to be answered.”
On allegations that the rebels were playing into the hands of the BJP, Wadala said the saffron party stood nowhere in Sikh politics.
“It’s wrong to say the BJP is responsible for all ills facing the Akali Dal. That is not right. They are just shifting the blame. The Akalis are in a self-defeatist mode,” he said.
On the possibilities of a pact with the BJP, Wadala said alliances were formed and broken in politics. “If the BJP can settle the issues of Punjab, there can be an alliance.”