Former CM Badal condemns fee on Kartarpur pilgrims

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, September 15

Former CM Parkash Singh Badal has condemned Pakistan’s proposal to charge of $20 as service fee for visiting the Kartarpur Sahib Gurudwara.

He said: “It is a sin to impose entry fee on a religious place”. He stated that when Khalsa Hertiage was built at Anandpur Sahib, it was suggested to impose minimal entry fee of Rs 10, but he did not agree to it because religious places were for all and there should not be any entry fee at all.

Badal also welcomed the move by the Union Government to remove the names of Sikhs from government’s blacklist.

Replying to a media query on Haryana polls, Badal said the decision had to be taken by the party core committee, he could not interfere much, but he personally felt that the party should stay with the BJP as they were an old ally.

When asked about reports of tension in Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party alliance, Badal said: “I can’t comment on this as party core committee and party president will take a decision on this”.

Lashing at the state government, Parkash Badal said it seemed that there was no government running at all as the law and order was deteriorating day by day. He said police officials were been getting attacked in the state.

Speaking on the issue of Simarjit Bains, Badal said it was a legal matter and as per law, an action would be taken. Badal was in the city on Saturday to inaugurate a private interior designing showroom.