Akalis must rediscover the virtue of sensitivityÎRESTRAINT was what characterised the observance of the 13th anniversary of Operation Bluestar at the Golden Temple on Friday. This was in sharp contrast to the exuberance that was in evidence on the Baisakhi Day when Sikh maryada was restored to the Akal Takht. The change in the manner in which the Sikh leadership responded to the subsequent event would not have been possible without a greater recognition of national feelings. After all, it could not have been oblivious to the strong national opinion the honouring of the killers of Indira Gandhi and General Vaidya had evoked.

In fact, the national rejoicing over the reconstruction of the Akal Takht in accordance with Sikh tenets was marred in no small measure by the glorification of the dastardly killing. Surely there were other, far more poignant, ways of celebrating the end of a tragic chapter in the history of the State. Only a leadership which is totally insensitive to national opinion could have ignored the resentment the people felt over the celebrations going overboard.

The Akalis could not have overlooked the fact that theirs is at best a coalition government, though they are in a position to have a government of their own. Needless to say, the BJP, which has always expressed its opposition to the Anandpur Saheb resolution, could not have been amused by the last month's developments, more so when it is a partner in the government. In fact, some of its front organisations had given vent to the sense of outrage that gripped them. As a seasoned politician, Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal would have realised that if the injured feeling was not nipped in the bud, they might even endanger the stability of his government. It is against this backdrop that the observance of the Bluestar anniversary was considerably and deliberately toned down. If anything, this underlines the Akali Dal's recognition that it can ill afford to ignore national opinion. After all, the party's return to power after a long wait owes as much to its popularity as to the support it got from the BJP. Arguably, the Akali Dal may not need the support of the BJP to win an election. Even so, the alliance is crucial not only to enable the party to play its rightful role at the Centre but also to carry conviction with a sizeable section of the voters who might, otherwise, plump for the Congress.

It is true that in the past, particularly in the heyday of terrorism, a section of the Akalis had willy-nilly played a questionable role vis-a-vis militancy. Whatever be the present facade of unity in the Akali Dal, the tussle for supremacy between the moderates and the extremists in it is as old as the party. The success of the leadership will, therefore, be measured in terms of its ability to keep them on the leash. By being more responsive to the national call for restraint, the Akalis have made their intentions clear that they will not risk their government by playing to the extremist gallery.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.