KERALA-At New Delhi s Mercy

Bansi Lal's ineptness.
There is no doubt that Bansi Lai's calculations went awry The immediate provocation for the Akali stir had been the prohibitory order against meetings in Karnal. The withdrawal of the order, therefore, amounted to a reverse for the government. Bansi Lai's attempt to isolate the Akalis and to present them as a sectarian force, out to achieve communal ends, also misfired. By joining the Kisan Sangarsh Samiti and concentrating on the issue of civil liberties the Akalis not only effectively countered Bansi Lid's allegations but also secured the active support of various national leaders, including opposition MPs. The Akalis had some other grievances, too, such as the demand of their Haryana unit in Respect of language facilities, recruitment to the services, etc, but they wisely decided not to bring them up just now.