SAD slams Cong’s Rajoana remark

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 14

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Thursday asked the Congress not to oppose the commutation of death sentence of Balwant Singh Rajoana, saying nothing should be done to vitiate the atmosphere during the yearlong celebrations of 550th Parkash Purb of Guru Nanak.

In a statement, MP Prem Singh Chandumajra said it was condemnable that the Congress wanted to not revive the past by making provocative statements on the occasion of Parkash Purb.

He said the Congress should accept the healing touch applied by the NDA government following appeals of the SAD and the SGPC.

“The decision was taken keeping in view the sentiments of the Sikh community and is designed to assuage their hurt sentiments following a series of attacks on their religious institutions as well as human right excesses by the Congress governments at the Centre and the state. We must not forget that thousands of innocent youth were killed as part of the state-sponsored terror. The commutation of Rajoana’s sentence and the release of Sikh prisoners languishing in jails after the completion of their sentences seek to apply balm on the aggrieved psyche of the Sikh community. We should let this closure take place instead of trying to aggravate the situation,” he said.