MUKTSAR: Shiromani Akali Dal patron and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said the future course of action to oppose “sinister move” of Congress-led Haryana government to wrest control of Gurdwaras in the state will be taken at appropriate time after due deliberations with Sikh community.
Addressing the gathering in village Panniwala, Bodiwala, Ratta Kheda Wadda and Chotta, Aalamwala, Aspaalan and others during the Sangat Darshan of Lambi assembly segment here, Badal alleged that the step of Haryana government was aimed at weakening the august body of Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC).
The Chief Minister said that on the directions of head of Akal Takht, the supreme religious body of the Sikhs, they have called off the agitation against the separate Haryana Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee (HSGPC).
However, he said, if due care was not taken to assuage the religious sentiments of Sikhs, which have been deeply hurt by this anti-Sikh step of Haryana government, then relevant strategy to protest would be chalked out in consultation with the Sikh Panth.
The Chief Minister recalled the sacrifices made by Sikh panth for formation of SGPC during the British Raj and said “since independence Congress party has attacked Punjab politically, socially, economically and even religiously.”
Badal said by constituting separate committee for management of Gurdwaras in Haryana, “Congress has inflicted a third major blow to Sikh psyche, which could not be tolerated at any cost.”
He termed step of Haryana government was “undemocratic” and said the people rejected by Sikh electorates have been handed over the reins of Gurdwaras. .
“These agents of Congress had championed the cause of separate committee in Haryana but the wise voters of Haryana had foiled their plans by rejecting them in the SGPC elections,” Badal said, adding Sikhs in Haryana had voted in favor of Shiromani Akali Dal by routing these “Congress agents from all the 11 seats of the state”.
The Chief Minister also alleged that due to anti-Punjab stance of the previous UPA government, state’s economy had passed through the worst phase in the last decade.
“The discriminatory policies of the UPA had completely shattered the agrarian economy of Punjab adding that even the UPA’s policy to grant fiscal incentives states led to the flight of industry from the state,” he said, adding with the formation of NDA government at the Centre hey days of the state would be soon back.
Reiterating state government’s “firm commitment” to make Punjab a ‘drug free state’, the Chief Minister said twin strategy was being followed to end the menace, “one massive drive had been started to cut the supply line of drugs, and second a campaign has been launched to detoxify drug addicts at drug de-addiction centers.
“Not only these, the state government was also making efforts to ensure proper rehabilitation of the drug addicts in Punjab. 22 rehabilitation centers were being opened across the state to rehabilitate the drug addicts by imparting skill training so that they could live a life with dignity and self respect,” he said.
Replying to a query regarding the recent hike in price of diesel, the Chief Minister said the prices of essential commodities should not be increased.
He, however, welcomed the reduction in petrol prices. –PTI
