Protect Sirsa dera, DJJS followers from Sikh radicals: BJP leader to Punjab CM

JALANDHAR: Amid souring ties between BJP and SAD in Punjab, BJP national secretary Tarun Chugh has written a letter to Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal to reign in (Sikh) radicals, who have attacked the followers of Sirsa dera and Divya Jyoti Jagritii Sansthaan, Nurmahal, recently and take "strictest possible" action against them.
Chugh has urged the CM to direct Punjab DGP to take strict action against "anti-social elements threatening and attacking the deras and their followers." Stating that the recent clash between Sirsa dera followers and some Sikh organizations in Mahmudwala village in Zira assembly constituency, the letter said, "the radicals resorted to violence when a pre-announced religious programme was about to start.Swords, other sharp-edged weapons and even firearms were used to intimidate and scare away sect followers."
Such attacks on people who planned to gather for a religious programme need to be condemned in strongest possible words, the BJP leader wrote.
Chugh, who had earlier tried to put SAD in a piquant situation by demanding the resignation of chief parliamentary secretary Avinash Chander, after the latter was questioned by enforcement directorate for his alleged links with the accused in synthetic drug racket case.
In his letter, Chugh has reminded the CM that activities of radical elements against congregation of dera followers amounted to "violation of fundamental rights and it is the duty of the (state) government to give protection to those who wish to take part in religious programmes".
When CM Badal has been underlining the importance of SAD-BJP alliance for communal harmony in the state, Chugh has pointed out, "It is also one of the prime responsibilities of the government that everyone is ensured liberty to worship as per their own belief and conviction."
It may be mentioned here that Akal Takht jathedar Gurbachan Singh had also announced that DJJS would not be allowed to hold functions in the state after a clash had taken place between DJJS and Sikh activists in Tarn Taran a couple of weeks back. However, Chugh has made it clear through his letter that BJP would side with these deras to protect their legal rights.