Chandigarh: Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and his deputy Sukhbir Badal, who also happens to be his son, recently expressed divergent views on the issue of Article 25 of the Indian Constitution, which mentions Sikhs as a part of Hindus.
A news reported by Hindustan Times (HT) notes that Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal a direct reply on this issue, however, Sukhbir Badal favoured amendment in the Article 25 to recognize separate Sikh identity.
There is a sudden tilt in Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal), led by Badal clan, towards the Sikh issues as the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) has hardened it’s stance on SAD (B) after securing election victory in last Lok Sabha and grabbing political power in India. Badal-BJP alliance in Punjab is at the verge of breakup.
SAD (B) that had abandoned the Sikh agenda and regional issues of Punjab after grabbing political power, is now returning to the Sikh issues. Badal Dal’s (so-called) return to the Panthic agenda is a calculated step taken in wake of strong political gesture of India’s ruling Hindutva force (the BJP) against the Badal Dal.
The difference in public statements of Badal father-son duo reflects the extent of their ‘sincerity’ towards Sikhs issues.