Hoshiarpur, Punjab: Terming the arrest spree of Panthic leaders and detention of preachers as a clear sign of state terrorism, the Dal Khalsa and SAD Panch Pardani said Badals have embarked on a course of confrontation with Panth forgetting that its the characteristic of the latter not to give in to repression.
To discuss and take stock of the current ‘volatile’ situation emerged after the so-called pardon drama and the fateful incidents of sacrilege, senior leaders of both the groups held a meeting and observed that the state government led by father-son duo had trashed the rule of law in the state.
Both the organizations believed that the tone and tenor of Sukhbir Badal resonates with late Beant Singh and Governor SS Ray who were infamous for their terror tactics to suppress the Sikh struggle for rights and freedom. They were of the view that though the reins of power has passed on from Beant Singh to Sukhbir Badal, the policies and machinery to snub and crush the fundamental rights of Sikhs were still intact.
“Badals by (mis) using the police administration had attempted to silence the voices of reasoning. The huge public upsurge is the clear mandate of religious misconduct and ruining of religious institutions by Badals”, said Daljit Singh.
Notwithstanding our disagreements and reservations on venue, procedures and nomenclature of Sikh congregation held on Nov 10, we stand by the democratic right of the organizers to convene such event to discuss and debate the plight of the Panth, said Dhami, while chairing the meeting.
L to R: Satnam Singh Paunta Sahib, Harpal Singh Cheema and Harcharanjeet Singh Dhami
“Even as we were not part of the decision-making process nor does we subscribe to the resolutions passed during the congregation, however, at the same time we strongly oppose the government’s terror and dirty tactics to defame it”, said Kanwar Pal Singh, while talking with the media. Akali Dal’s old tactics of painting his opponents with Congress brush holds no water, he said. How come a peaceful event poses a threat to peace in Punjab, he asked.
Instead of correcting his government’s wrongdoings and delivering justice by arresting the erring officials who ordered police firing on peaceful demonstrators in Behbal Kalan, the junior Badal was using the threatening language that doesn’t behove well on the person who holds Home portfolio.
Strongly coming down heavily on the government for slapping sedition charges on the organizers of the event including S S Mann, Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema said dissent is not sedition. “The Sikhs have refuted all such draconian policies and tactics of successive governments in the past and they would do so now even”, said he.
The meeting expressed solidarity with French people in their hour of grief.
Others who attended the meeting include Satnam Singh, Manjinder Singh, Sarbjit Singh Ghuman, Ranbir Singh, Jaspal Singh and Mandhir Singh. SYP head Paramjit Singh Tanda and Prabhjot Singh also attended the meet.