Permission for Pakistan visit denied, govt fumes

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 30

The state government today flayed the Ministry of External Affairs for denying clearance to the delegation of Punjab ministers, MPs and MLAs to visit Nankana Sahib in Pakistan in connection with Parkash Purb celebrations.

Cabinet Minister Charanjit Singh Channi said it was not only unconstitutional, but also a grave danger to the federal structure of country. He alleged that it was the decision of BJP-SAD alliance government that carried the stamp of the RSS to demean other religions.

Lashing out at the Union Government and the SAD, Channi said the act had brought to fore the anti-Panthic face of both the SAD and the BJP.

Channi said both alliance partners were indulging in dirty politics concerning the Parkash Purb celebrations. Their actions were against the philosophy of Guru Nanak Dev, which was based on universal brotherhood, he added.

Sources privy to the developments said denial of clearance to Punjab ministers was the outcome of politics as permission was granted by Pakistan High Commission to a nagar kirtan led by Paramjit Singh Sarna, former president of the DSGMC, but not to the jatha that was to be led by Majinder Singh Sirsa, DSGMC’s incumbent president.

Meanwhile, the MEA has given permission only 11 officers and journalists to go to Pakistan. The elected representatives along with others were scheduled to participate in an akhand path, beginning at Nankana Sahib on October 31.