Social tensions flared recently between two religious groups in northern India prompting protests, work stoppages, and a government security operation. On May 15, 2007 the Sikh community in India’s Punjab state began demonstrations accusing the leader of the Dera Sacha Sauda (DSS), a non-affiliated religious grouping of blasphemy for allegedly impersonating the 10th Sikh guru, Gobind Singh in a newspaper advertisement. The Sikh clergy, demanded an official apology from DSS leader, Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, and asked local and national authorities to investigate the DSS head’s alleged involvement in several recent crimes. Religious officials also called on Sikh parishioners to organize a protest march from Fatehgarh Sahab to Chandigarh to reinforce their petition.
In addition to the apology, Sikh clergy demanded that the DSS abandon its deras in Punjab by May 28, 2007. Although the deadline passed without the requirements being met, no major incident has been reported. However, tensions are escalating in both Punjab and Haryana.
Sikh Strike, Demonstrate
Sikh clergy at the Akal Takht, the highest institution of Sikhism, called for a general strike in the wake of disagreements with the DSS on May 22, 2007. Although outlawed by the Indian government, these strikes known as “bandhs,” are at times imposed by religious heads to compel the opposition into adhering to demands.
Since the initial strikes in Punjab, demonstrations have been held daily. Protests intensified during the first week of rallies amidst reports of violence, hundreds of injuries, and one death.
Indian security was increased following the onset of demonstrations. Police were deployed to major gathering areas and were stationed around DSS headquarters and facilities in Punjab and neighboring Haryana. As the Sikh’s deadline for Gurmeet Singh’s apology passed on May 28th, approximately 100,000 police and 40 units of paramilitary personnel were dispatched throughout Punjab.
Singh’s Apology
A spokesman for the DSS issued a convoluted apology on Sunday, May 27, 2007 on behalf of Gurmeet Singh, saying, “Dera Sacha Sauda apologises to Sri Gobind Guruji for the sake of humanity. We can’t even think of copying him.”
Sikh clergy members have not yet issued a formal response. Akal Takht representatives announced that the Sikh leadership would convene to discuss the future of the demonstrations once a written copy of the apology, signed by the DSS head, had been received.
Popular Response and the Operation Blue Star Legacy
Media coverage of the incident has been largely one-sided in favor of the Sikh community. Critics have alleged that the DSS head has performed similarly before, mocking Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism.
The Indian government has adopted a hands-off approach outside of deploying security personnel. The controversial Operation Blue Star carried out in 1984 remains legendary among Sikhs, especially in Punjab. During the campaign, the Indian Army was dispatched to Punjab to combat a suspected Sikh separatist movement. Soldiers killed nearly 400 Sikhs bunkered at the Akal Takht Shrine and damaged many ancient artifacts, including the shrine itself. The incident sparked riots, which ultimately claimed the lives of more than 3,000 Sikhs. International criticism was leveled against India not only for carrying out a poorly organized attack, but also for causing a significant number of civilian fatalities.
Forecast
Although the outcome of the situation in Punjab remains unclear, it is likely that demonstrations will subside in the near-term. Gurmeet Singh, although seemingly in no hurry to do so, has been willing to appease the Sikh, and DSS adherents have been reluctant to provoke demonstrators.
An overwhelming police and paramilitary presence is expected to keep violence at a minimum.
