SGPC seeks apology from Speaker

Tribune News Service

Ropar, June 26

The SGPC today passed a resolution seeking an apology from Speaker Rana KP Singh over the “turban tossing” incident in the Assembly. The executive committee of the Sikh body held a meeting in this regard at Gurdwara Bhatha Sahib here.

Addressing mediapersons, SGPC president Kirpal Singh Badungar said Rana was responsible for the incident as he had ordered the marshals to forcibly evict MLAs from the House.

Badungar, however, declined comment on why no action had been taken by the SGPC over similar cases in the past. He refused to accept a complaint from former SAD leader Zora Singh Chappar, whose turban had been tossed during a meeting at Patiala on October 1, 2010, in the presence of SAD general secretary Prem Singh Chandumajra. Zora Singh had been waiting since morning to submit the complaint along with newspaper clippings regarding the incident.

Meanwhile, Badungar said the CM had stated that the matter regarding the alleged encroachment on SGPC properties by Congress leaders had been referred to the DGP. He said the CM should look into the issue as it was not related to law and order.

Cong hits back at Badungar

Chandigarh: The Punjab Congress on Monday criticised Kirpal Singh Badungar for his "persistent efforts to politicise the religious body" over recent developments in the Assembly, warning that any attempt to mix religion with politics would backfire on the SGPC. In a statement issued here, PPCC leaders Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria, Ramanjit Singh Sikki, Sukhjeet Singh Kaka Lohgarh and Darshan Singh Brar alleged that Badungar was trying to gain political mileage to further his ambitions. "It is obvious that the SGPC, for long controlled by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), has now decided to officially step into the political domain. It is quite apparent that Badungar has set his sights on leading the Akalis," the party leaders said. tns