No scope for violence

The poll campaign in Punjab had been relatively peaceful till last Tuesday. But the blast at Maur Mandi in Bathinda shattered that, bringing with it not just the tragic death of six, including three children, but also a disturbing fear of what might be the motivation behind the senseless act. A blast such as this, carried out as it is close to the vehicle of a Congress candidate who is related to the Dera Sacha Sauda chief, could either be aimed at fomenting unrest, or is a message to someone. A few hours after the blast, news emerged that the Dera had announced its support to the ruling alliance. Kejriwal was quick to blame Sukhbir Badal in the matter, and Capt Amarinder Singh blamed AAP’s dalliance with NRIs — and hence the alleged separatists among them. The state police suspect a ‘Khalistani’ hand.

Overnight, the electoral battle has been reduced to a horrendous low, encompassing death, religious and communal divide, and political expediency. A renewed communal tension was also injected with the Dera’s last-minute support to the SAD-BJP alliance, leaving even some of its own followers confused. Dera ‘premis’ had been blaming the Akali government and party followers for the violence of 2007 and false police cases against them. For the Akalis, who like to turn ‘Panthic’ at election time, too it was an unusual turn, risking the wrath of Sikhs, who have been directed by Akal Takht not to deal with the Dera. Very large amounts of liquor have also been seized in the state, including from people associated with the ruling alliance.

A blast, a sect’s directions, liquor seizures — all of these are factors extraneous to the voters’ well-being and the political process. The campaign has ended, but the spread of hateful communications on social media can raise the temperature of the state. Punjab’s residents have displayed restraint through the incidents of sacrilege, the shooting of Sikh protesters, and attacks on Hindu leaders. They would perform their duty to the state wonderfully if they hold their calm and use the vote tomorrow to do what they believe is right.