Chandigarh: The Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) chief Prof Kirpal Singh Badungar on Thursday stated that there was “nothing was wrong in raising demand of Khalistan (a separate Sikh state).
Prof Badungar was at Guru Ram Das medical college, Amritsar Sahib to attend a college function that too along with Punjab’s Health minister Brahm Mohindra.
During an interaction with the media-persons the SGPC chief was replying to a question related to election of a Sikh as Mayor of Hoboken city in the US and reacting to alleged ‘labels such as terrorists and Khalistani attached with Sikhs,’ note Indian Express (IE).
“As per a Supreme Court ruling, nothing is wrong in demand of Khalistan, nor is this unconstitutional or an offence.” said SGPC chief.
Whilst welcoming the statement in favor of Khalistan made by SGPC chief, the Shiromani Akal Dal (Amritsar) chief Simranjit Singh Mann in press note stated that back in 1946, Basant Singh Kukar unanimously got the resolution of Khalistan approved in the SGPC House.
SGPC should reaffirm the 1946 Khalistan resolution in its upcoming general executive body meeting on 28th November, as it will help in forwarding the paramount cause of right to self-determination for the Sikhs. Moreover, it will help us garnering support for Sikh homeland from foreign countries, said Simranjit Singh Mann in his statement.
On the other hand infuriated ‘pro-hindutva’ Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) on the statement of SGPC chief Pro Kirpal Singh Badungar said that the demand for Khalistan was always unconstitutional in the past and remained so even today.
According to a reported press note tate party vice-president Harjeet Singh Grewal and secretary Vineet Joshi urged SGPC chief to read the Supreme Court of India (SCI) order he was quoting in a controversial statement issued yesterday, notes The Tribune (TT).
“Punjab has endured a long period of terrorism. Punjabis have given their lives to win back peace. We need to behave responsibly and collectively to maintain peace,” the leaders reportedly said.