‘What is happening is nothing more than a sudden emotional outburst’

Beleaguered and bruised by the statewide protests over a spate of desecrations of the Guru Granth Sahib, Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal has been in a fire-fighting mode for the past five weeks. There is anxiety in his words and actions as he tries to pull the border state back from the brink and to reconnect with his key constituency – the Sikhs. Badal spoke to Senior Resident Editor

Ramesh Vinayak in Chandigarh. Excerpts from the interview:

How do you read the spate of protests across Punjab?

The main crisis has been caused by the desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib. Five to six cases have been solved and the culprits have been arrested. These incidents have hurt public sentiments. We do not know yet who is behind this conspiracy. There are certain forces, including Khalistani elements, which are out to wreck the peace in Punjab.

Isn’t it a fact that the crisis was triggered by the Sikh anger over a politically-managed pardon to the Dera Sacha Sauda chief by the Sikh clergy?

This is cumulative effect of many things. Whatever may be the cause, the biggest issue today is the peace and social harmony, which my government will uphold at any cost.

Is it true that your party committed a blunder by pushing the clergy to pardon the dera chief in a hush-hush manner?

This issue pertains to the Akal Takht. I am neither for (pardon), nor against it. And I don’t interfere in the affairs of the Sikh clergy.

Isn’t the public outrage a manifestation of the disenchantment with your rule for nine years?

We got re-elected for the second term in 2012 and have won a couple of byelections in the recent past. What is happening in Punjab is nothing more than a sudden emotional outburst.

The crisis has dealt a big blow to your party and the government?

That’s nothing unusual. Crises happen and they are overcome too. We will set the things right.