SRI MUKTSAR SAHIB: How the Three Rallies Differed from Each Other

It was a disappointing day for the Akali Dal and Congress at Sri Muktsar Sahib on the auspicious day of Maghi.� While both “rival” parties of Punjab witnessed low turnout, the Aam Aadmi Party on the other hand�witnessed one of its biggest gatherings in Punjab.

Despite Maghi being a religious observance for the Sikhs, all three parties used it for political gains.� Sharp attacks on the Aam Aadmi Party were evident by Akalis, and as well as Congress leaders.� The Aam Aadmi Party however also did not spare the Akali Dal and Congress, and termed their working in Punjab as a “grand nexus”.

Arvind Kejriwal’s speech was met with much excitement by the crowd.� He alleged that both Akali Dal and Congress will be helping each other in the upcoming 2017 elections.� He said that both parties had formed a nexus and even if Congress was to come into power, people of Punjab will not receive justice.� He promised to bring the corrupt�politicians to justice when the Aam Aadmi Party comes to power in Punjab.� While Kejriwal blamed the Akalis and Congress for working against the interest of Punjabis, Badals and Capt. Amarinder Singh mocked Kejriwal and other AAP leaders.� Sukhbir at one point made a statement that it was the duty of all Akalis to ensure the “topis” don’t remain on the heads of AAP supporters.

In contrast to previously held Akali rallies, there was anxiety in Sukhbir’s speech.� Amarinder on the other hand showed seriousness, while at the same time using cheap tactics to blame Kejriwal.

Arrest of numerous unemployed linemen at Akali Dal Rally

If a low turnout was not enough, protest by over a dozen of unemployed linemen during the Akali Dal rally led to further embarrassment for its leadership.� These linemen were whisked away by the police as they started shouting anti-Government slogans when Sukhbir Badal began his speech.

While Sukhbir seemed shaken due to the protest as it was quite visible and audible in the small gathering, he however continued with his speech.� Sukhbir’s main focus was to attack Kejriwal.� He termed Kejriwal as a non-Punjabi, and asked how could a “Haryanwi” do justice with Punjab?� He said that Kejriwal was naive, and could not even differentiate amongst crops.

While Sukhbir also attacked Capt. Amarinder Singh from time to time, as per several analysts, it seems like through such attacks, Akali Dal is providing political mileage to its “rival” – Congress.� For instance, by aligning the Congress with Sarbat Khalsa, Sukhbir indirectly asked Panthik Sikhs to support Congress.

Aam Aadmi Party Does Its Homework

One of biggest criticism against the Aam Aadmi Party is that while it resonates with the sentiments of the Punjabis, its senior leadership from Delhi does not understand the history of the Sikhs.� However, at the Muktsar Sahib Maghi rally, it was evident that Arvind Kejriwal in particular had done some homework.� Kejriwal spoke about the history of Maghi during the beginning of his speech.� He spoke about the courage and valor of the Sahibzade along with 40 mukte.� Most importantly, along with referencing Sikh history that often times remain unmentioned even during rallies at religious days, Kejriwal brought up several issues that hit home with the Sikhs and Punjabis.� Some of the important issues brought up by Kejriwal included –

1. Farmer rights
2. Growing cases of cancer in Punjab
3. Drug mafia being operating by the Punjab Government
4. Respect of Guru Granth Sahib
5. Rights of minorities, including Dalits

While Kejriwal’s speech was welcomed throughout the 30 minutes he spoke, the moment he said that perpetrators of Guru Granth Sahib ji’s sacrilege will not be left unpunished, there were roars of jaikare by the attendees.� This was likely the loudest and most cherished moment from Kejriwal’s address.� Kejriwal said that “Guru Granth Sahib ji is not just a scripture of the Sikhs, Guru Granth Sahib is equally respected by the Hindus, Muslims, Christians and all others.”� He added, “I was hurt more than anyone else.� As I came to know of the growing cases of sacrilege, I cancelled all my meetings in Delhi and came to Punjab.� Then I heard of the peaceful protesters who were shot upon, leaving two dead.”

“If people who committed Guru Granth Sahib Ji’s sacrilege are not sent to jail, strip me even of my name,” he announced, adding, “those who shot and killed the Sikhs, will not be spared, neither will those who gave such orders to the police.”

Kejriwal ended his speech by saying, “People tell me that they�afraid of the Badals.� I ask them, all four sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji were martyred, but Guru Ji said, even after the killings of my four sons, several thousand remain alive.� Guru Gobind Singh Ji gave the word Singh to the Sikhs. �How�can a lion be afraid of someone?”