Vienna Fallout Violence Sets Punjab Aflame

Violence erupted in Punjab on May 25, 2009 following the attack on a Punjab-based religious leader at a gurdwara in Austrian capital of Vienna on May 24. The victim, Rama Nand, head of Sach Khand Dera, died later.

The provocation for violence in the State came from Vienna where Sant Niranjan Dass, the head of Dera Sachkhand, based at Ballan village, near Jalandhar, was attacked in a gurdwara by a group of fanatics. The armed attack resulted in serious injuries to the Sant and the death of his number two, Sant Rama Nand.

Many others were injured. As the news of the attack spread, Guru Ravidass devotees and followers of the Dera, largely based in the Doaba region, reacted violently, leading to the imposition of a curfew in Jalandhar. Violent incidents and tension have also been reported from other parts of the State.

Alarming Situation
The violence forced authorities to call Army and clamp curfew in at least four major cities of Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Phagwara and Hoshiarpur. Meanwhile, more reports of violence started pouring in from other districts as well. However, the Government has deployed paramilitary forces in sensitive districts. Two persons were also reportedly killed in Jalandhar when police opened fire to disperse a mob.

The protesters, the followers of religious sect identified with Guru Ravidass, have damaged and burnt over hundred buses, set on fire two trains, ransacked shops, hospitals and burnt scores of two-wheelers. For almost 12 hours, there was total anarchy, especially in Jalandhar before the Army was called. The violence started from Butta Mandi in Jalandhar, where the sect has a large following. Soon it spilled over to other areas. The protesters went on rampage bringing normal life to a standstill in almost all over the State.

The Tragedy
Soon after the reports of attack on dera head Niranjan Dass and second-in-command Sant Rama Nand at Vienna reached Jalandhar, their followers came out on roads. The police were caught unawares as the force was not prepared for such an eventuality. While Sant Rama Nand had died later in the hospital, Sant Niranjan Dass is said to be critical. They represent the majority of Dalit community of Punjab having their headquarters in Vallan, 13 km from Jalandhar. They had gone to Austria to take part in a congregation which was opposed by fundamentalist groups on the ground that they have been distorting the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of Sikhs. The reports said that three of the Vienna fallout: Violence spreads in Punjab five assailants were beaten to death on the spot and two were handed over to the police.

Unwarranted Attack
It is natural for the Dera followers to feel hurt at this outrageous and unwarranted attack, but they have to exercise restraint and protest in a peaceful manner. The Vienna police has already arrested the assailants who will face the consequences of their crime.

The way some of the devotees have chosen to express their anger by burning buses and causing destruction to government property may not be the right way of letting out anger and pent-up feelings. Why stop trains, causing inconvenience to innocent citizens? Violent protests often invite disgruntled anti-social elements and dormant militant groups to exploit the situation and disturb the peace in the State.

The Repercussions
It can be said that the repercussions in Punjab after an attack on a religious leader in Vienna recall the disruption that wracked the state two years ago, almost to the week. Then it was a somewhat more institutionalised reaction by the clergy to a prominent “dera”, Dera Sacha Sauda, one of the dozens of groups in Punjab with followings in the tens of thousands. This time, leaders of the Dera Sachkhand Balan were attacked in Vienna. Dera Sachkhand Balan is a lesser-known group that draws its adherents from more marginalised social groups.

Fundamentally, however, the people of the state need to address the social fissures within in a more satisfactory way. The question is not basically political, although in Sikhism religion and politics are not divorced from one another. At the administrative level, however, mass violent outbursts have to be contained effectively.The present situation requires mature handling by leaders of all political parties and persuasions.