Cong, AAP plotted sacrilege to gain power, alleges Badal

Balwant Garg

Tribune News Service

Faridkot, September 16

Buoyed by the response to its “Jabar Virodhi” rally here on Sunday, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) claimed that despite the Congress’ efforts to tarnish their image, the party’s support base had widened in the state, particularly in the areas affected by sacrilege incidents. The SAD took on the Congress government, accusing it of colluding with radicals on the issue of sacrilege.

Akali patron Parkash Singh Badal alleged that the Congress and AAP were behind sacrilege incidents as they wanted to disturb the smooth functioning of the then Akali-BJP government and gain power.

“Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, in a bid to divert people’s attention from his failure to fulfil poll promises, is now using a fake report to exploit Sikh sentiments,” he claimed.

Party chief Sukhbir Singh Badal alleged that the Justice Ranjit Singh Commission report had tried to pin blame on him and former CM Parkash Singh Badal, but in vain. Such vicious attempt was made by the party which was responsible for Operation Bluestar and the anti-Sikh riots, he alleged.

“At least 73 incidents of sacrilege took place in the state since the Congress came to power. It is now applying its old formula of divide and rule to take control of Sikh shrines and the SGPC and pushing the state into another phase of terror and turmoil,” alleged Sukhbir.

He also targeted PPCC chief Sunil Jakhar and Cabinet Minister Sukhjinder Randhwa, saying Jakhar’s father Balram Jakhar and Sukhjinder’s father Santokh Randhawa had praised former PM Indira Gandhi for attacking the Darbar Sahib.

On the protest led by radical leaders Baljit Singh Daduwal and Dhian Singh Mand at Bargari, Sukhbir flashed some documents on the stage and claimed that those were the copies of bank statements and a registration deed, which showed Daduwal received Rs 16 crore and Mand made a land deal worth Rs 30 lakh. He alleged that they were collecting funds in the name of protest at Bargari.

Badal honoured two advocates who contested the party’s case in the High Court on Saturday, following which the party was allowed to hold the rally.

Former minister and Majitha MLA Bikram Singh Majithia accused Cabinet Minister Navjot Sidhu of having sung paeans to Bapu Asaram and Radhe Maa.

Senior Akali leaders Balwinder Singh Bhunder, Bibi Jagir Kaur, Charanjit Atwal, Maheshinder Singh Grewal, Daljit Singh Cheema, Virsa Singh Valtoha and former state BJP chief Rajinder Bhandari were among other leaders who spoke on the occasion.

Ex-CM: Radical nabbed with pistol; ssp denies

While addressing the rally, former CM Parkash Singh Badal claimed that a Sikh radical was arrested with a pistol from the rally venue. He claimed that he had come to kill him and his son. However, Rajbachan Singh Sidhu, SSP, denied arresting any such person. “I have no such information,” he said.

‘Desecration still on’

Sukhbir claimed that there was still no end to sacrilege cases in the state. At least 73 such incidents took place since the Congress came to power. It was using divide-and-rule policy to gain control over the SGPC and Sikh shrines, he alleged.