Ludhiana- Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal today said it was the duty of the government to resolve the objections raised by Sri Akal Takht Sahib as well as the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee on the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act passed by the Aam Aadmi Party.
Talking to newsmen after addressing a huge public function held in memory of S Jassa Singh Ramgarhia here, the SAD president said “the SAD agrees with the views of the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib who has asked the AAP government to amend objectionable provisions in the anti-sacrilege Act which go against the Khalsa Panth and the sentiments of the Sikh community”. He said the SGPC, which was an elected body of the Sikh community, had also conveyed its views to the AAP government and the same should be respected.
Speaking about the corruption unleashed by AAP in Punjab, Mr Sukhbir Badal said “ the AAP rule in the State is akin to the rule of Ahmed Shah Abdali who plundered Punjab at will before meeting his match in S Jassa Singh Ramgarhia”. He said the manner in which Punjab’s resources were being looted was coming out in the open with the arrest of cabinet minister Sanjeev Arora who had taken on the duty to plunder Punjab and hand over a booty of Rs 200 crore every month to Arvind Kejriwal. Mr Badal also demand action against the chief minister Bhagwant Mann, his OSD, and other associates for their corrupt activities. He said all AAP legislators and halka incharge should be probed so that all those who had looted Punjab could be sent to jail.
Earlier while paying glowing tributes to S Jassa Singh Ramgarhia on the occasion of his 303rd birth anniversary, the SAD president appealed to Punjabis to strengthen the SAD which was the only party in the State which stood for the aspirations of Punjabis. He said when the SAD was weakened in the last assembly polls the Delhi parties used the opportunity to break the SGPC and create a separate gurdwara committee for Haryana. “Other gurdwara committees including those of Sri Hazur Sahib and Takht Patna Sahib have also been taken over by the State governments”. He appealed to the community to be aware of traitors who had disguised themselves in the garb of religious Sikhs and were working overtime to weaken the SAD and Sikh institutions. Mr Badal also talked about how the SAD was responsible for all development, including making Punjab power surplus. He said lack of addition of any power capacity by both the Congress and AAP had resulted in the present power cuts and breakdowns.
Senior leader Hira Singh Gabria while speaking on the occasion said the BC community deserved its share of reservations in Punjab and the same should be given to them. He also called for 20 per cent reservation for BC candidates in the panchayati raj institutions. Dr Daljit Singh Cheema spoke on the life and contributions made by S Jassa Singh Ramgarhia. Others who spoke on the occasion included Dr Daljit Singh Cheema , Maheshinder Singh Grewal , Parupkar Singh Ghuman, Lakhwinder Singh Gabadia, Naresh Dhigan & Jasdeep Singh Kaunke.
Later the SAD president also inaugurated the office of Gill constituency halka incharge Harpreet Singh Simak. While speaking on the occasion, Mr Badal appealed to the party rank and file to work unitedly to ensure Simak’s victory in then 2027 assembly elections.