Panjab By-Polls: AAP Wins 3, INC Wins 1

The results of the recent Panjab By-Polls were declared on 23 Nov. AAP won the Gidderbaha, Dera Baba Nanak, and Chabbewal Assembly seats, while the INC won the Barnala seat. AAP has termed the results a semifinal before the Delhi state elections, expected to be held in February 2025. While it is usual for parties in power in a state to win By-Polls, INC’s losses are also related to them fielding wives of Members of Parliament (MPs) who vacated their Member of Legislative Assembly seats after the 2024 General Elections – Amrita Kaur Warring, wife of state INC President Amrinder Singh Raja Warring in Gidderbaha and Jatinder Kaur Randhawa, wife of senior INC leader Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa in Dera Baba Nanak. The BJP failed to win any seat as its candidates remained at a distant third spot in all four seats. Three of its candidates in Dera Baba Nanak, Gidderbaha, and Chabbewal lost their security deposits, leading to doubts about inroads the party has made in Panjab after its 18.5% vote share in the June 2024 General Elections. In the MP elections held in Wayanad, Kerala and Nanded, Maharashtra, INC won both seats with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Chavan Ravindra Vasant Rao winning respectively. In the Maharashtra elections, the BJP-led alliance comprising the Shinde faction of Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar faction of Nationalist Congress Party won with a huge margin. In the Jharkhand elections, Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance led by Jharkhand Mukti Morcha won handsomely. Meanwhile in Panjab, Aman Arora has replaced CM Bhagwant Singh Mann as the Panjab AAP President (SDW Vol 2, Issue 47, Story 4).

On 18 Nov, two days before the Maharashtra elections, the Sikh Samaj (society) Maharashtra, a little known outfit, extended support to the BJP-led alliance. Harnam Singh Dhumma, the head of the Damdami Taksal – the Sikh seminary once headed by Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale – announced their support. The taksal is a three centuries old Sikh seminary currently headquartered at Gurdwara Gurdarshan Parkash at Chowk Mehta, 40 km from Amritsar (SDW Vol 2, Issue 32, Story 1). The taksal’s move to support the BJP in Maharashtra invited criticism from SAD leader Arshdeep Singh Kler, who termed Dhumma’s support for the BJP as ‘shocking,’ and said, ‘it was another sign of the BJP penetrating Sikh institutions.’ BJP spokesperson Sarchand Singh welcomed the support saying, ‘The Sikh bodies tasked with working for the Sikh religion and carrying forward its traditions or becoming its representative voice have failed. The Akalis, for instance, have not been able to stand up for the Sikh community adequately. It defies logic that the Akalis have an objection to the taksal supporting the BJP while, as a political party, the Akalis have been supporting the BJP for years.’ The taksal and SAD have had differences since Parkash Singh Badal’s second term as CM of Panjab. Starting after the Nirankari-Sikh clash of 13 Apr 1978 in Amritsar, where 13 Sikhs were killed. During the 2011 Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee elections, SAD and the Taksal came together. The Sikh population in Maharashtra is 0.2%, and holds little to no influence in the elections.

On 21 Nov, US prosecutors charged Indian billionaire Gautam Adani over an alleged USD 250M bribery scheme aimed at securing lucrative solar power contracts projected to generate roughly USD 2B in profit over two decades. The indictment accuses Adani and seven others from Adani Energy subsidiaries of lying to investors and offering bribes to Indian officials between 2020 and 2024. Among the defendants is Adani’s nephew, Sagar Adani, the executive director at Adani Green Energy founded by Gautam. The US Securities and Exchange Commission also issued summons with a 21-day deadline to Gautam and Sagar. The crisis led to Kenya canceling Adani’s airport and energy projects. Shares in Adani Group companies have plummeted. In another development, on 25 Nov, Vishal Tiwari – one of the petitioners in the earlier case related to the Adani over Hindenburg Research’s (HR) allegations of stock manipulation – filed an application before the Supreme Court of India, urging the court to consider bribery and fraud charges against Gautam. The petition alleges shortcomings in the Securities and Exchange Board of India’s (SEBI) investigation into HR’s allegations against the Adani Group in January 2023 and August 2024 (SDW Vol 2, Issue 2, Story 2). SEBI initiated an inquiry into claims that Adani Green Energy failed to disclose an investigation into the alleged bribery scheme. In 2020-21, farmers of Panjab protested the Farm Laws which had been framed on Adani’s behest. Farmers denounced the laws, forcing their repeal.

The Akal Takht (eternal throne; AT) Jathedar (leader) Giani Raghbir Singh has convened a meeting of the Panj Singh Sahibaan (five loved ones) on 2 Dec. The AT has summoned SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal and Sikh ministers from the SAD-BJP govt. (2007-2017). Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee President Harjinder Singh Dhami, along with all relevant secretaries of the committee, have also been directed to appear in person. Badal was earlier declared tankhaiya (guilty of religious misconduct) and he later resigned from the SAD presidency, in an effort to appear before the AT as a ‘humble Sikh.’ Meanwhile, on 20 Nov, the Punjab and Haryana High Court allowed a 3-hour parole for Balwant Singh Rajoana to attend his brother Kulwant Singh’s bhog (funeral rites) in Ludhiana’s Rajoana Kalan village. Rajoana is on death row in a case involving the assassination of former Panjab CM Beant Singh in 1995. In his address at the bhog, Rajoana urged Sikhs to ‘unite and strengthen their organizations.’ Referring to ‘Operation Blue Star,’ he said, ‘The Center conspired against Sikhs by sending tanks and the army to Sri Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple). Now, they have kept me in the fansi chakki (death row) for 18 years.’ Rajoana is seeking commutation of his death sentence because of the President of India’s ‘extraordinary and inordinate delay’ in deciding his petition. On 25 Nov, during a hearing of Rajoana’s petition in the Supreme Court of India (SCI), Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, said, ‘Several agencies need to be consulted. We need some more time.’ The SCI has adjourned Rajoana’s petition by four weeks (SDW Vol 2, Issue 46, Story 3).

On 26 Nov, at 2:30 am, Panjab police picked up senior farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal ahead of his planned indefinite fast-unto-death protest at the Khanauri border in Panjab’s Sangrur district. Dallewal, coordinator of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political), had announced he would begin his hunger strike on 26 Nov, the fourth anniversary of the Farmers’ Protest 1.0 and India’s Constitution Day. The demand is for legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops. Police took Dallewal to Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) in Ludhiana for medical check-up. Since his detention, Dallewal has refused to eat or drink which implies he has started his hunger strike. Dallewal has been kept in the emergency ward and the hospital has been turned into a garrison with a large number of policemen deployed both outside and inside the hospital. No one is allowed to meet the farmer leader as he has been kept under strict medical observation. Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police Dr. Nanak Singh said, ‘Dallewal was not detained but admitted to DMCH due to age and health issues, noting he is a cancer patient.’ A large number of activists have converged at Khanauri border between Panjab and Haryana. Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu claimed the detention was orchestrated by the CM Mann govt., denying any involvement of the Union govt. SKM (NP) and its ally Kisan Mazdoor Morcha reiterated their plan to march towards Delhi from the Shambhu border on 6 Dec. Farmers have been protesting at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders since 13 Feb after being halted from advancing to Delhi (SDW Vol 2, Issue 47, Story 1).

According to a recently released study by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), installing flue-gas desulfurization (FGD) technology in 12 coal-based thermal power plants within a 300-km radius of Delhi could reduce sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emissions by 67%. The CREA report highlights that power plants in Talwandi Sabo and Rajpura in Panjab, and Panipat in Haryana, emit 48, 35, and 40 kilotonnes of SO₂ annually, respectively. These could see emissions reduced by up to 83% with FGD installation. The study found that annual SO₂ emissions from National Capital Region’s thermal plants are 16 times higher than those from burning 8.9M tonnes of paddy straw — 281 kilotonnes versus 17.8 kilotonnes (SDW Vol 2, Issue 47, Story 6). Also, on 22 Nov, the Supreme Court of India (SCI) took note of an article in The Hindu, which revealed increased stubble-burning areas in Panjab and Haryana. The article stated that despite the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) informing the court of a ‘significant reduction’ in stubble burning, internal documents showed an increase, with farmers burning stubble after satellite passes to avoid detection. The court directed the CAQM to submit data and documents by 25 Nov. On 22 Nov, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, representing the Union govt., strongly opposed SCI’s proposal to form a committee of former apex court judges to oversee stubble-burning measures. Meanwhile, using aquaponics in their New Delhi apartment, farmers Peter Singh and Neeno Kaur have transformed their home into an exemplary clean-air sanctuary with an AQI of just 15, surpassing the purity of most Himalayan hill stations. The couple now promotes aquaponics in Delhi’s schools and conducts classes to inspire sustainable practices.

On 23 Nov, the Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi issued summons to two former police officers, Dharam Chandrasekar and Ravi Sharma, to appear on 2 Dec as witnesses in INC leader Jagdish Tytler’s 1984 Sikh genocide case linked to the killings of three Sikhs at Gurdwara Pul Bangash, Delhi (SDW Vol 2, Issue 41, Story 7). The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) informed Judge Jitendra Singh that summons could not be served to prosecution witness Manmohan Kaur. The agency sought additional time to serve her the summons. On 12 Nov, the court concluded the cross-examination of Lakhvinder Kaur, widow of Badal Singh, a ragi (musician) at the Gurdwara who was killed during the genocide. The court framed charges of murder and other offenses against Tytler on 13 Sep, following a supplementary chargesheet filed by the CBI in May 2023. The chargesheet cites a witness stating that Tytler emerged from a white car on 1 Nov 1984 and instigated a mob against Sikhs, leading to the murders. In August 2023, Tytler was granted anticipatory bail on a personal bond of USD 1,184, with conditions including not leaving the country without permission. Meanwhile, on 21 Nov, ahead of the Delhi Assembly polls, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena distributed job appointment letters to 47 survivors of the 1984 Sikh genocide during an event in the Tilak Vihar area of West Delhi. In a post on X, Saxena acknowledged that while the pain of losing loved ones in the violence cannot be alleviated, the wounds can be healed with sympathy and compassion.

On 17 Nov, activists from the Kale Paani Da Morcha (Black Waters Front) in Panjab called on residents to support a protest on 3 Dec to forcibly stop the flow of effluents into the Buddha Nullah stream in Ludhiana (SDW Vol 2, Issue 35, Story 1). Environmentalists in Abohar, Panjab, raised concerns about water pollution caused by the Buddha Nullah, stating that contaminated water is being poured into the river Satluj and subsequently reaching the public through various canals, resulting in water-borne diseases. The Punjab State Human Rights Commission has also received a complaint regarding water pollution in Panjab and Rajasthan, filed by advocate Sarvjit Singh. Singh alleged that the Panjab govt. is endangering lives by failing to lodge a First Information Report or comply with orders from the Punjab Pollution Control Board. Meanwhile, Water Warriors Panjab, a non-governmental organization (NGO) founded by Manjit Singh, is mobilizing youth volunteers to combat severe river pollution in Panjab, focusing on the rivers Satluj, Beas, and Ravi. The NGO’s volunteers participate in clean-up drives, awareness campaigns, and community engagement efforts to restore the water table, revive wetlands, and promote green tourism along riverbanks. They face significant challenges, including industrial pollution, ritualistic waste dumping, and govt. neglect. Buddha Nullah has become heavily polluted due to industrial waste from Ludhiana’s dyeing and dairy industries, leading to severe health issues such as cancer in nearby communities, commonly referred to as Panjab’s ‘cancer belt.’ Despite initial hurdles such as lack of manpower and funding, Water Warriors have observed a 20% reduction in pollution caused by human activities in some areas.

Panjab govt. employees and pensioners have expressed frustration with AAP for failing to fulfill its pre-election promise of restoring the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). On 18 Nov, two days before the state Assembly By-Polls, employees and pensioners observed a ‘black day’ by wearing black badges and burning dummy copies of the OPS notification issued by the state govt. New Pension Scheme (NPS) employees and pensioners actively campaigned against AAP, urging voters to support parties that will restore the OPS. As campaigning reached its final stage, disgruntled govt. employees under the Purani Pension Bahali Sangharsh Committee (old pension restoration struggle committee; PPBSC) banner launched a door-to-door poster campaign demanding the implementation of the OPS. Employees have drawn comparisons to neighboring Himachal Pradesh (HP), where the INC govt. swiftly implemented the OPS after coming to power in 2022. The AAP govt. in Panjab too had issued a notification on 18 Nov 2022 stating all govt. employees under the NPS would receive OPS benefits. A committee was formed in January 2023 to formulate standard operating procedures for implementation. Two years later, the OPS has yet to be reinstated (SDW Vol 2, Issue 11, Story 2). Jasvir Singh Talwara, state convener of PPBSC, criticized the govt. for the delay, questioning why Panjab cannot implement the OPS if HP managed to do so swiftly. On 25 Nov, PPBSC Hoshiarpur district convenor Sanjeev Dhoot, along with Parmjit Singh Katib, Pawanveer Singh, and Inderjit Singh, reminded the AAP govt. that employees nationwide are preparing a national strategy against NPS. Talwara noted that each constituency has at least 3K govt. employees under NPS.

Mitti Niseeb Di is a Pahari Panjabi feature film that tells the untold story of the Kashmiri Sikh community, exploring their deep-rooted love for their homeland and the challenges they face. The narrative centers on Kartar Singh, an elderly man who is emotionally attached to Kashmir despite the turmoil of the past three decades, including the migration of Kashmiri Pandits and the tragic massacres of Sikhs in Chattisinghpora and Mehjoor Nagar. While many Sikhs now live between Jammu and Kashmir seeking stability, Kartar is adamant about staying in Kashmir even as his son Satbir wants to move to Jammu. The film delves into themes of identity, survival, and the meaning of home, featuring an ensemble of talented local actors who bring authenticity to the story. Written, directed, and produced by filmmaker Balbir Sahni, Mitti Naseeb Di sheds light on the often overlooked Kashmiri Sikh community, which comprises just 0.88% of the population. The Sikh community in Kashmir, with over 500 years of history in the valley, continues to face a ‘silent exodus’ due to targeted killings, ongoing violence and economic constraints. On 7 Oct 2021, school principal Supinder Kour, a Sikh, and her colleague Deepak Chand, a Hindu, were shot dead by ‘militants’. Recent data shows a decline in the Sikh population; in 2023, 311 Sikh students appeared for the Class 12 state board exams, dropping to 246 this year. School teacher Bupinder Singh Bali, from Kashmir, recently documented the communities ordeals in a new bookThose Who Stayed (SDW Vol 2, Issue 31, Story 10).