HOSHIARPUR, Punjab—In the backdrop of AAP’s rebel leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira and Patiala MP Dr Dharamvir Singh Gandhi pitching for ‘political autonomy’ for Punjab, the Dal Khalsa has reasserted that the future of Punjab lies in seeking and obtaining the right to self-determination.
Party spokesperson Kanwar Pal Singh said devolution could not take place within a state (India) that was apparently intent on the opposite, with increasing centralization of power.
He said various Akali Dals have been demanding devolution of power within India since 1970-80’s, but met with state’s brute resistance. “After years of struggle for federalism, facing hardships and sacrificing so many lives, the Akali Dal has completely abandoned the cause,” he rued. He said ever since Badals have rests all levers of power within Akali Dal, the party has been functioning as tools in the hands of the forces determined to dilute the Sikh identity and the concept of Sikh Nationhood.
“[Indian state] is not going to devolve power as sought by earlier Akali Dal and now AAP’s rebel leaders. The state is centralizing more and more power, and it is becoming more and more Hindu in character. If you look at since the time the British left this region, constitutionally this process has been taking place, as well as administratively it’s been taking place, said he. So the direction, in which the current Indian state under Narendra Modi is transforming, is towards more centralization. That is the only transforming project that is taking place today.”
“In that context to ask for devolution, in our view, mean learning nothing from history”.
On Khaira not supporting the concept of Khalistan, Kanwar Pal said, he is entitled to hold independent political belief. “However, Khaira must keep in mind that numerous sacrifices have been made in Punjab in the name of Khalistan and that one should not dare to ignore it”.
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