Cong making political capital out of sacrilege cases, alleges Sukhbir

Sanjeev Singh Bariana

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, November 23

Pulling out all stops in its attempt to outdo the recent Sarbat Khalsa gathering in Amritsar, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today put together a largely attended gathering for its “Sadbhavna Rally” at Goniana, near Bathinda. SAD president and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal even challenged the Punjab Congress to match the show.

(Read: Govt machinery ran full throttle)

Political observers said between 50,000 and 60,000 persons attended the rally, while Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal claimed that the number was over 2 lakh.

Referring to the presence of certain Congress leaders at the Sarbat Khalsa, Sukhbir reiterated his accusation that the Congress was “attempting to gain political mileage out of the recent sacrilege incidents in Punjab”.

“The party (Congress) should stop dreaming about making a comeback in the 2017 Assembly elections. I challenge Amarinder Singh and Partap Bajwa to bring together people in a similar number at the same venue to listen to them,” he said.

Referring to the commitment of its alliance partner BJP, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal asked people to take a pledge: “we are committed to ensuring peace and prosperity in the state and will stand even if we had to sacrifice our lives. We will not allow forces of disruption to emerge. Remember there can be no progress without peace”.

The Deputy CM said, “We have entrusted the probe into the Bargari sacrilege incident to the CBI because the state findings indicated hand of Pakistani and other foreign agencies. Such cases could have been handled by a central agency only. Majority of those involved in the case have been arrested.”

“Only Akal Takht had the right to call the Sarbat Khalsa. The recent attempt to incorporate an alternative power centre was a reflection of 1980s when peace in the state was shattered and it was pushed back by 15 years,” he said.

Irrigation Minister Janmeja Singh Sekhon accused the Congress of attempting to facilitate a comeback by supporting hardline Sikh leaders who had not just been rejected by the people in the elections but also tried under law in a large number of cases.

Punjab BJP chief Kamal Sharma said, “Unfortunately, Punjabis are not sincere followers of history. Even during 1980s, Congress leaders had allowed hardliners to come forward and change the history of the state.” Union Cabinet Minister of Food Processing Minister of Harsimrat Badal, said, “Unfortunately, for the first time in the Sikh history this year, a call was given to observe black Diwali on the auspicious day when Guru Hargobind had freed prisoners from the fort of Gwalior.”

Senior party leaders, including  Union Minister Vijay Sampla, MP Balwinder Singh Bhunder, Sikander Maluka, Prem Singh Chandumajra and president of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee  Manjit Singh GK  also spoke on the occasion.

Many policemen were deployed at the rally venue. Various arrangements and crowd management were done by 10,000 activists of the Student Organisation of India and the Youth Akali Dal. People from Mansa, Muktsar, Fazilka, Faridkot and Bathinda participated in the rally. The next Sadbhavna rally will be held at Moga on November 28.

Dy CM sees Pak hand in sacrilege incidents

We have entrusted the probe into the Bargari sacrilege incident to the CBI because the state findings indicated hand of Pakistani and other foreign agencies.  

‘Only Akal Takht can call Sarbat Khalsa’

Only Akal Takht had the right to call Sarbat Khalsa. The recent attempt to incorporate an alternative power centre was a reflection of the 1980s when peace in the state was shattered and the state was pushed back by 15 years

No response to bandh call

The bandh call given by Sarbat Khalsa-appointed "interim jathedar" of Akal Takht Dhian Singh Mand failed to have an impact in the state on Monday. Heavy police force was deployed at the key points across cities and towns as a precautionary measure.