This story is from November 12, 2014

BJP seeks relief for victims of terrorism, SAD squirms

Aggravating the SAD-BJP rift in Punjab, the saffron party on Tuesday raised the issue of compensation to victims of terrorism in the state - a subject which makes Akalis squirm.
BJP seeks relief for victims of terrorism, SAD squirms
AMRITSAR: Aggravating the SAD-BJP rift in Punjab, the saffron party on Tuesday raised the issue of compensation to victims of terrorism in the state - a subject which makes Akalis squirm.
The BJP has now demanded that compensation be paid to relatives of nearly 25,000 people shot dead by militants during the terrorism days in the state, on the lines of relief announced for victims of 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

Talking to TOI on Tuesday, former health minister and general secretary of Antakwad Pirit Parivar Sahayata Samiti, Baldev Raj Chawla, said he had taken up the matter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Rajnath Singh and finance minister Arun Jaitley. “Victims of terrorism should be given compensation on a par with relief given to victims of 1984 anti-Sikh riots,” the BJP leader said.
Chawla also urged the finance minister to announce a package of Rs 781 crore for such people in Punjab. “There were over 25,000 deaths during terrorism in Punjab, while the Samiti has names of around 10,000 victims. We have asked people to contact us and register names of their relatives who were shot dead by terrorists or who suffered losses,” he said.
SAD (B) has never been comfortable with this demand and never pursued it in the past. According to sources, BJP’s attempt to raise the issue is another indication of the party’s effort to win over non-Sikh votes in the state as many victims of terrorist attacks were non-Sikhs. Again, Akalis also fear that if they support the demand, it may antagonize the radical Sikhs, who support the SAD (B) now, they said.
Chawla said BJP had also demanded compensation to people who had suffered financial losses or had to hastily sell their properties at throwaway prices, fearing terrorists.

BJP MLA Navjot Kaur Sidhu said it was the duty of the government to give compensation to anyone killed in terror attacks, irrespective of the victims’ caste or religion. “It’s not a question of Hindu or Sikh, but of victims of terrorism,” she said. “If Akalis didn’t assertively take up the issue, then we will raise it with the Prime Minister,” she said.
Taking a jibe at both BJP and Akalis, district Congress committee (rural) president Gurjit Singh Aujla said, “BJP is talking of Hindus and Akalis are talking of Sikhs. They are playing politics with the victims.” He questioned why BJP didn’t raise its voice when a memorial was being constructed in Golden Temple.
Meanwhile, a terrorism victim, Parveen Sharma, said that her husband was shot dead on November 12, 1989, when he had gone to visit the Ram Teerath fair, along with a friend. “We received only around Rs 1 lakh in three installments. Why were we not given compensation at par with anti-Sikh riot victims,” she asked.
Another victim, Pavna Devi, who had lost her husband in a bomb blast incident, said that government was discriminating on the basis of religion. Commenting on Modi government’s “achhay din ayangae” slogan, she said, “I wonder when our good days will come. Prime Minister Narendra Modi must look into our plight.”SAD (B) district president (urban) Upkar Singh Sandhu said, “What happened in 1984 was a genocide targeted to kill Sikhs, whereas in Punjab, it was the act of terrorists." Demanding relief for victims is BJP’s prerogative, he said, adding that his party’s support on the issue would be decided by the top leadership.
This is not the first indication of widening rift between SAD and BJP.
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