Silence of political parties in Punjab on Khalistan issue, what effect can it have on elections?

Amidst the political uproar between India and Canada over the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, complete silence is being seen on this issue in Punjab. No political party is speaking openly on this matter and the parties which strongly accuse each other on every issue are also silent on this very sensitive issue. Various leaders of Punjab believe that due to the trade relations between the two countries and the issue related to migrants, great care should be taken on this issue.

But questions are being raised regarding the stand of the Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee on this issue. It is being said that the committee has been soft in criticizing Canada and people associated with Khalistani ideology on this issue which is very sensitive for Punjab. BJP has demanded that the Sikh Gurdwara Committee should take a strong stand in this matter. However, in an internal committee meeting on September 25 itself, the Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee described Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's statement as tarnishing the image of Sikhs and Punjab. The committee has demanded the Government of India to take appropriate action on this matter.

Akali Dal also silent
The demand for Khalistan has been linked to some people of Punjab. Akali Dal, which does politics of Sikh community, is also silent on this issue. The party stands with the government on this issue. He says that the entire Punjab is with the government on this issue. But since most of the students from Punjab go to Canada for education, people here seem worried if this tension increases. He believes that this issue should be resolved soon so that children's education and their future are not affected in any way.

Whose political gains and losses
Tension may increase in Punjab if Khalistan dispute escalates. People who have already faced terrorism in Punjab do not want the return of this dispute in any form. Sensing this intention of the people, political parties are also maintaining complete silence on this issue. At least in the present environment, any political party is avoiding unnecessary allegations and counter-allegations to take advantage of it.

These allegations were made
Just before the last Punjab Assembly elections, Arvind Kejriwal's former aide Kumar Vishwas had made very serious allegations against Arvind Kejriwal. He had said that Arvind Kejriwal had relations with Khalistanis. However, Arvind Kejriwal had dismissed it as a poet's 'fantasy'. He had said that by making such allegations just before the elections, an attempt is being made to weaken the lead of the Aam Aadmi Party. Since, at present, there is Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab, and a strong stand is expected from the government on this matter, the government is also taking a very sensitive step. The Punjab Government has shown full coordination with the Center on this subject, and has supported the Government's stand.

Whole Punjab is one, it is better to avoid provocative statements
A leader from Punjab told Amar Ujala that Canada has very deep relations with India. This is a sensitive topic and has an impact on trade and other relations between the two countries, so this issue should be discussed with great seriousness. He said that the entire Punjab is united on this issue. No one wants the era of terrorism to return in Punjab. This is why everyone is united on this issue and will face this situation together.

Gurdwara Management Committee should take a strong stand – BJP
BJP National Secretary Sardar RP Singh told Amar Ujala that the Gurdwara Management Committee is avoiding taking a strong stand on the Canada issue. He said that those who are talking about Khalistan are not real Sikhs, and not a single person from Punjab is standing with them.