Dallewal’s Health Worsens, Haryana Police Thwart 2 Attempts to March to Delhi

On 10 Dec, the 14^th day of Jagjit Singh Dallewal’s fast-unto-death, doctors attending to him said his health was worsening (SDW Vol 2, Issue 49, Story 5). Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) leader Dallewal has been on hunger strike over the farmers’ demand for legal Minimum Support Price (MSP) at the Khanauri interstate border between Panjab and Haryana (SDW Vol 2, Issue 48, Story 5). On 6 Dec, the 349^th martyrdom day of Guru Tegh Bahadur, also the 68^th death anniversary of Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar, and the day Hindutva forces tore down the Babri Mosque in 1992, a 101-strong group of farmers from the Shambhu interstate border proceeded towards Delhi on foot. The reason the farmers have formed the Marjeevda Jatha (to-be martyr’s brigade) is because when the Farmers’ Protest 2.0 started on 13 Feb 2024, the Haryana govt. objected to farmers marching to Delhi on tractors. Having spent 301 days on the roads on the Shambhu border, the farmers decided to march the 215 km to Delhi. At the reinforced barricades, the security forces tear gassed and pepper sprayed farmers and journalists. 15 farmers were hospitalized. On 8 Dec, when another Jatha approached the barricades the security forces showered flower petals on them, offered tea and biscuits but when farmers did not relent, they teargassed them and used water cannons. 6 farmers and 3 women journalists were injured. As a side spectacle, India’s Vice President (VP) Jagdeep Dhankar raised the issue of MSP to farmers. India’s Agriculture Minister Shivraj Chauhan responded to it in Parliament. The VP said he was satisfied, while the farmers are not. The next march is scheduled for 14 Dec.

The Akal Takht (eternal throne; AT) proceedings on 2 Dec have invited widespread appreciation over how the SAD leaders were compelled to confess their crimes and seek forgiveness. However, there is also an undercurrent that the tankhah (salary, implying punishment) was only symbolic and not enough. The AT was in a position to impose a significant ban on Sukhbir Singh Badal’s holding office in SAD or any other Sikh organization. That could have opened doors to Sikh political groups who differ from SAD to come together as instructed by the AT. Narain Singh Chaura’s attempt to assassinate Badal as he performed his service as a guard of Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) is being seen as an expression of this resentment and is being celebrated in some Sikh circles (SDW Vol 2, Issue 49, Story 3). While the attempt has been condemned for being poorly timed, its raison d’etre has not been questioned since everyone is familiar with the long list of the Badal family’s excesses. In a conference in Moga on 5 Dec, the Dal Khalsa praised Chaura. Meanwhile, members of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) met Jathedar (leader) Giani Raghbir Singh, seeking Chaura’s excommunication. Former SGPC general secretary Bibi Kiranjot Kaur said that AT ‘does not hear cases of intention to murder’ and added, ‘it makes no sense to seek Chaura’s excommunication.’ Sikh organizations have also asked the AT to restore the services of the Panj Piaras (beloved-enthroned), who had the courage to raise their voice against the pardon of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Ram Rahim in 2015, and had resigned in early 2016.

On 2 Dec, the Indian media misrepresented the importance of tankhah (salary, implying punishment) imposed by the Akal Takht (eternal throne; AT) on SAD leaders, and fetishized the symbolic acts of service─cleaning toilets, washing vessels, and so on (SDW Vol 2, Issue 49, Story 1). However, by 4 Dec, articles and editorials started appearing in mainstream media praising the proceedings and asking deeper questions. The Free Press Journal said, ‘Rarely does the nation witness politicians paying a price for their actions.’ The Tribune hoped for a ‘reset in Akali politics.’ The Indian Express said, ‘Pendulum swings again for Badal’. Although The Indian Express editorial expressed concern, ‘The Akali Dal, which articulated its broader vision as a party dedicated to Punjab, Punjabis and Punjabiyat in its Moga Declaration, risks a shrinking of its appeal if it is perceived to be retreating into a narrower, exclusively Sikh space.’ SAD was formed as a political party for Sikhs in 1920 but at the Moga Declaration in 1996 it became Panjabi political party instead of Sikh. After which SAD aligned with BJP to attract both the rural Sikh votes and urban Hindu votes. The SAD moved away from its promise on justice over the extra-judicial killings and enforced disappearances during Panjab’s militancy years (1978-1993) and indulged in rampant corruption, nepotism and violations of law, as pointed out by The Times of India. The AT had asked the SAD to accept Sukhbir Singh Badal’s resignation within three days but over a week has passed, the committee has yet to meet. The dilemma is if the SAD obeys the AT’s directive, it risks being seen as a political party based on religious lines and being derecognized by the Election Commission of India.

The Supreme Court of India (SCI) directed the Panjab govt. to consider providing alternative accommodations for 39 families who have been occupying flats in Phase-9, Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar, Panjab for nearly 40 years. The flats were meant for 1984 Sikh genocide victims. Families who fled Delhi’s Jahangir Puri violence lack official victim red cards. Authorities maintain that these families are ‘unlawful occupants’. Previously, a petition before the Punjab and Haryana High Court resulted in an order on 23 Feb 2011 preventing the petitioners’ dispossession until their red card claims were decided by the Deputy Commissioner, SAS Nagar. After scrutiny, the petitioners were deemed ‘not genuine victims’. Subsequent eviction notices were challenged, leading to the present appeal in the SCI. On 6 Dec the SCI also directed the Central Bureau of Investigation to respond to Balwan Khokhar’s plea seeking suspension of his sentence in the 1984 Sikh genocide case. 66-year-old Khokhar was convicted alongside former INC MP Sajjan Kumar. Meanwhile, on 16 Dec, a Delhi court is expected to deliver its verdict in another 1984 Sikh genocide case against Sajjan Kumar. Concurently, leaders of Birmingham City Council and Derby City Council, UK appealed to Deputy British Prime Minister Angela Rayner, requesting an inquiry into Britain’s involvement in Operation Blue Star—the India's 1984 attack on Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple).

On 5 Dec, Brampton, Ontario Mayor Patrick Brown addressed the House of Commons’ Public Safety and National Security Committee, asserting that foreign interference did not influence the Conservative party’s last leadership race. However, Brown revealed that the Consul General of India expressed concerns about him using the term ‘Sikh nation’ to Conservative MP Rempel Garner. On the same day, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh moved a motion in the House of Commons’ Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development to recognize the 1984 anti-Sikh violence in India as a ‘genocide’. During the motion, Liberal MP Chandra Arya voted ‘no’, causing the motion to fail. Arya later accused Liberal MP Sukh Dhaliwal of threatening him in the House of Commons, alleging Dhaliwal accosted him in the lobby. In July 2024, UK’s Slough, London council withdrew a similar motion. In April 2017, the Ontario Assembly had passed the motion. In India, the terminology has had a trajectory of evolution with Sikhs calling the violence ‘pogrom’, ‘carnage’, ‘massacre’, and now ‘genocide’ but Indian media still calls it ‘riots’. On 10 May 2019, PM Narendra Modi recognized the violence as a genocide (SDW Vol 2, Issue 22, Story 1). Meanwhile, in a change of tone, India accused the US State Department of attempting to destabilize India in collaboration with investigative journalists for publishing articles that focused on the Adani Group’s ties to the Indian govt. and funding the INC. Last month, the Adani Group and seven others were indicted in the US for their involvement in a USD 265M bribery scheme (SDW Vol 2, Issue 48, Story 3). The US called the accusations ‘disappointing’ and denied charges.

Several American universities are urging international students and staff to return to the US before President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on 20 Jan 2025. This is because Trump has announced plans to sign executive orders on the economy and immigration on his first day. David Elwell, Associate Dean at The Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s International Students Office, advised students to reassess winter travel plans. In Canada, immigration authorities expect nearly five million temporary permits to expire by the end of 2025, including 766K belonging to foreign students. Students from Panjab have been protesting in Brampton since August 2024 against Canada’s shifting policies, as many were led to believe they would be allowed to stay in Canada (SDW Vol 2, Issue 36, Story 7). Education consultants in Panjab report receiving calls from students in Canada concerning emails from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship department Canada regarding their study permits or education records, despite having visas valid for up to two more years. This reduction could lead to a 21% decrease in permanent residencies and a 40% drop in international students. While Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller expects many will depart voluntarily, the Canadian Border Services Agency will enforce immigration laws for those who overstay. Meanwhile, amid strict post-study work visa norms in Canada and Australia, New Zealand has announced significant relaxations to its Post-Study Work Visa (PSWV) policies to attract international students (SDW Vol 2, Issue 26, Story 8). Under the new policy, students can apply for the PSWV based on their initial enrolment in a postgraduate diploma, even if they transition to a master’s degree.

A study by the Department of Economics at Punjabi University, Patiala, revealed that 60% of rural women surveyed in Panjab are under outstanding debt and 53% women have experienced some form of violence, highlighting the severe impact of agrarian distress on women in the state. Understanding the Nature, Forms, and Implications of Structural Violence Against Rural Women in the Context of Agrarian Distress in Punjab was conducted by Dr Anupama, Professor of Economics at Punjabi University, Patiala, and Simran Kaur, Assistant Professor at Mata Gujri College, Fatehgarh Sahib. The study surveyed 711 women across Sangrur, Mansa, and Bathinda—districts identified as hotspots for farmer suicides by Punjab Agricultural University. Many women lack ownership of land, homes, or assets but are burdened with repaying debts after male family members commit suicide. The average debt per family is USD 4,723 in Sangrur, USD 4,428 in Mansa, and USD 4,133 in Bathinda. General category respondents have an average debt of USD 5,798, compared to USD 1,381 for ‘Scheduled Castes’ and USD 1,889 for ‘Other Backward Classes’. Ironically, the study also found that 53% of women reported experiencing domestic violence, with Mansa reporting the highest instances, while Panjab touts there have been zero domestic violence cases lodged in the past three years. Verbal abuse was most prevalent, faced by 86% of victims from husbands and 39% from other household members. Only 33% of women sought help and a mere 13% filed police complaints. How can Panjab claim to have zero cases if 13% women have filed police complaints?

Advocating for free treatment for patients, MP Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal, Rajya Sabha (upper house) has raised urgent concerns in the Indian Parliament about the rising number of cancer-related deaths in Panjab and across India. Referencing data from the National Cancer Registry Program under the Indian Council of Medical Research, he revealed that India recorded 1.4M new cancer cases in 2022, with media estimates indicating approximately 4,109 new cases daily. Seechewal noted, ‘The death of a patient due to a lack of treatment or money raises serious questions about our healthcare system.’ Stressing that existing financial aid for cancer treatment is insufficient, he noted the death toll of the disease, which claimed 790K lives nationwide in 2021, rising to 900K in 2022. Meanwhile, despite being banned and restricted in many countries, the highly toxic herbicide paraquat dichloride continues to be widely used in India, especially in Panjab, for weeding, grass control, and pre-harvest crop drying. Commonly deployed to dry crops like moong (green gram) and maize, paraquat is damaging to humans, animals, and the environment. Against medical advice from the Anupam Verma Committee, which reviewed paraquat among 66 foreign-banned or restricted pesticides, India allowed its continued use under stricter guidelines. At the same time, The Ministry of Jal Shakti (Water Resources) has urged states to reassess policies on free or subsidised electricity for farmers and adopt measures like crop rotation and diversification to reduce groundwater reliance. Groundwater extraction has reached 136% in Haryana and 164% in Panjab.

Former Indian Administrative Service Officer and the Panjab BJP’s general secretary Jagmohan Singh Raju has demanded the ban on the sale of liquor and tobacco products within a one-mile radius of Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar. Raju noted that the AAP govt. has not responded to his representations, leading him to protest outside Darbar Sahib for one day on 30 Nov. On 27 Sep 2022, Raju had requested the National Commission for Minorities to direct the Panjab govt. to ban liquor and tobacco sales near historical Gurdwaras, including Darbar Sahib, and to declare Gurpurabs as dry days. Raju filed a contempt petition, and the Punjab and Haryana High Court directed the Panjab govt. to file a compliance report by 10 Dec. With this move, BJP reversed its stance taken in 1981. At that time, then Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Gurcharan Singh Tohra demanded Amritsar be declared a holy city. Before a march to support this demand in May 1981, BJP Member of Legislative Assembly Harbans Lal Khanna led a countermarch displaying tobacco products, which turned violent. Sikh militants assassinated Khanna on 2 Apr 1984. The BJP’s Amritsar office is named after Khanna. Meanwhile, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena criticized the AAP-led Delhi govt. for neglecting the Panjabi language in the national capital. On 3 Dec, Saxena expressed specific concerns about the shortage of staff in institutions responsible for promoting and preserving Panjabi, particularly highlighting issues within the Delhi Punjabi Academy. Despite Panjabi being granted official language status in Delhi by former President Abdul Kalam in 2003, Saxena noted that the Academy has underspent its budget, utilizing only USD 2.35M out of the allocated USD 3.22M for the fiscal year 2023-24—a 17% reduction in budget usage.

On 3 Dec, Scottish artist Jasleen Kaur, 38, won the Turner Prize, the prestigious British art award founded in 1984, known for spotlighting contemporary artists. The announcement at Tate Britain in London was preceded by a pro-Palestinian protest, involving about 100 activists, demanding the Tate group of museums end associations with Israel, including ties with donors Anita and Poju Zabludowicz. Upon her arrival at the awards, Kaur, who grew up in a Sikh community in Glasgow, supported the protests and held up a scarf in Palestinian colors with the word ‘divest’ written on it. During her acceptance speech, Kaur affirmed her solidarity with Palestinian people, and urged an end to institutional complicity with Israel; she also called for an arms embargo. Kaur, along with fellow nominees Claudette Johnson and Pio Abad, had signed an open letter urging arts organizations to cut ties with Israel. Kaur was awarded for her installation Alter Altar at the Tramway arts venue in Glasgow, which features items related to her upbringing, including a car covered by a giant doily, music playing from a car stereo, and a mechanically operated harmonium. Her work explores personal, political, and spiritual issues with a blend of irreverence and reverence. The Turner Prize jury praised her ability to create environments from everyday items that speak to larger themes. The other nominees included Claudette Johnson, known for her portraits of Black individuals; Pio Abad, a Filipino artist whose work includes sculptures of jewelry once owned by Imelda Marcos; and Delaine Le Bas, an artist of Romany heritage. Kaur will receive GBP 25K in prize money. Her work is on display at Tate Britain until 16 Feb 2025.