Support Sikh referendum, but stand for united India: Khaira

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 15

Despite reversals suffered by the Aam Aadmi Party in the 2017 Assembly elections over links with pro-Khalistan elements, Leader of Opposition Sukhpal Khaira on Friday said he supported the Sikh Referendum 2020 movement as Sikhs have a right to demand justice against “atrocities” suffered by them.

While the Akali Dal has termed Khaira’s statement as proof of divisive politics played by his party, Khaira insisted that he owes allegiance to the Constitution of India and stood for united India. The Punjab Police have banned some organisations supporting the referendum. It had also booked some of the main leaders for waging a war against India. 

Talking to mediapersons here on Friday, Khaira said the Sikhs were justified in demanding justice for sufferings during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. He said these groups functioned from independent countries and within the law of those countries.

Criticising Khaira for supporting the referendum, former Akali minister Bikram Singh Majithia said the first agenda of the referendum was to form an independent state for the Sikhs separate from India. “The Akali Dal has been fighting for justice for Sikhs, but no one will be allowed to divide the country and take Punjab back to the dark days of terrorism,” Majithia said.

The Akali Dal has also asked AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal whether he supported Khaira. Majithia said if Kejriwal did not support Referendum 2020, he should take action against Khaira for supporting a move whose sole idea was to break the country.