Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today dared the former Chief Minister and President Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) Capt Amarinder Singh and ex-PPCC Chief Partap Singh Bajwa to at least decipher the lineage of Congress party which had ever remained inimical to the interests of Punjab and Punjabis especially the Sikhs from day one, before making any more tall claims to safeguard the interests of the state and its people.Addressing a mammoth Sadbhawna Rally here, the Chief Minister cautioned the people in general and Sikhs in particular that Congress was their No.1 enemy, which had always bartered away with the interests of state for its narrow political motives. The Chief Minister categorically said that the Congress had ever ruined the state economically, socially, politically and it had even gone to an extent for destroying the glorious traditions of Sikh Panth through direct interference in its religious affairs. He said Sikhs could never imagine of pardoning the Congress and its dubious leadership which perpetrated genocide of Sikhs in 1984 post Indira Gandhi’s assassination.
Likewise, we the Punjabis could never forget how our most sacred Sri Harmandar Sahib was desecrated by the Indian troops and attacked by tanks and canons on the orders of the then Congress leadership at helm of affairs, where several innocent devotes including women and children were massacred. Without mincing any words, Mr. Badal said that Punjabis especially the Sikhs were known for their sincerity and bravery in safeguarding the security and safety of our country and had always made outstanding contribution in defence forces by making supreme sacrifices but it was the irony of fate that their holiest of holy shrine Sri Darbar Sahib was attacked by the Indian Army at the behest of the then Congress Government. Mr. Badal asked, “How we could forget these gloomy events as they have been deeply etched on our psyche.”
The Chief Minister said that Congress had always ditched Punjab as it was deprived of its Capital, legitimate shares in river waters besides transfer of Punjabi speaking areas to it, which was nothing less than a betrayal by Congress with Punjab on each and every instance. “All this has created a sense of disgust, anger, hatred and agony amongst us, which could never get away from our minds” asserted Mr. Badal and cautioned the people not to be swayed by the false propaganda of Congress leadership anymore, which had always weighed heavy on the back of its mind to mislead the people with an eye on vote bank.Patting the brave people of Majha, Mr. Badal said that they have really shown their indomitable sense of loyalty and commitment towards SAD-BJP alliance by turning out here in large numbers at this 5th Sadbhawna Rally. Mr. Badal said that he was highly enthused by the massive gathering converged here and probably this was the largest rally so far addressed or attended by him in the state and across the country during his political career spanning over six decades.
Sharing the perspective of Sadbhawna rallies, Mr. Badal said that the real objective of these rallies being organized across the state was to further cement the bonds of peace, communal harmony, amity and brotherhood besides sensitizing the people about the very need of these ingredients to ensure development and prosperity in the state. He said that Punjab had been a votary of unity, peace, tranquility, which had ever kept its social fabric intact despite several provocations by the anti-social elements from time to time. He said, “We the people of Punjab have invoked a sense of harmony, peace and amity from our great Gurus, seers, saints and prophets.” Making a firm resolve not to let Punjab and Punjabis to suffer any more on count of false propaganda unleashed by the disruptive, anti-Punjab and anti-Panthic forces and their nefarious designs, Mr. Badal said that the people of Punjab would never allow such anti-national elements to divide the people on sectarian lines as they had already paid a heavy price for a long period of trials and tribulation during militancy which brought the process of development and prosperity to a grinding halt besides claiming nearly 22,000 innocent lives.
Sounding an alarming bell to the divisive forces, the Chief Minister asked the people especially the Sikhs not to get emotionally blackmailed by their sheer provocation in the name of religion, Mr. Badal said that we have already suffered a lot for these political gimmicks and could not suffer anymore as unfortunately we had been deprived of our religious shrines viz Gurdwara Sri Nankana Sahib and Sri Panja Sahib now in Pakistan. He categorically said that if these anti-Punjab and anti-Panthic forces again pursue the same agenda we might have to repent later on for having been dispossessed from our sacred Takht Sri Patna Sahib in Patna (Bihar) and Takht Sri Hazoor Sahib Nanded in Maharashtra, added Mr. Badal. In his address on the massive 'sadbhawna rally' at historic town Sri Goindwal Sahib, Sharomani Akali Dal president and Deputy chief minister Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal said that it's the historic day for SAD on its 95th birthday party is holding biggest rally and also a matter of proud for him to be the president of India's second oldest political party.
Recalling the rich legacy of SAD, the deputy CM said the grand old Akali organisation had always stood against the injustice since it's origin in the form of gurdwara sudhrar lahar, Independence struggle and war against emergency.
Presenting facts from the Indian history he said the whole world admires African legend Nelson Mandela as a hero for fighting against injustice by spending 15 years in jail but lakhs of SAD workers have spent more time in jails for unity, brotherhood and communal harmony.Taking a dig at Gandhi family for their anti Punjab agenda, SAD president said Gandhi family had always played with the sentiments of Sikhs to garner political mileage and this time too they implemented the anti Punjab agenda through hard core elements by holding congregation at Chabba.Calling the success of SAD rallies as a befitted reply to the anti Punjab forces, SAD president Mr Badal said people mandated for development and peace as it's the single point agenda of SAD-BJP government.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that whenever the Punjab witnessed the rule of S. Parkash Singh Badal, the State registered massive development in the form of big ticket projects like Thein Dam, Ranjit Sagar Dam, Amritsar airport, thermal plants and focal points besides the pro poor initiatives like Atta Dal scheme, free power to farming community.
In the major announcement the Deputy CM Mr Badal also announced that Rs 2000 crore would be spent on the development of holy city Amritsar. He also announced to provide power connections to all deras/dhanis and construction of pucca roads with Rs 400 crore in the coming months.Announcing social welfare schemes to be launched by the Punjab government, Mr Badal said the enhanced old age pension from 250 to Rs 500, Bhagat Puran Singh Sehat Bima Yojna with free treatment upto Rs. 50,000 would be implemented from January 2016.The deputy chief minister said that "he never made false promises like others and what he have promised that was delivered" as Punjab achieved a power surplus status, international airports and 4/6 lane road connectivity to all major cities. He also announced to provide grants of Rs 25 crore each for development works in each constituency.
Terming the AAP leaders and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal a biggest fraudulent, Mr Badal said "they come in power in Delhi with the slogan of simplicity but now they started to loot the public exchequer by increasing the monthly salaries of their MLAs to 2.50 lakh, even more than PM. Besides, AAP MLAs had been provided with facilities.Member Parliament from Khadoor Sahib Mr. Ranjit Singh Brahampura criticized the state Congress leadership for playing a pro-active role in organizing Chabba conference to sway the religious emotions of the people and keep their tempers high with the sole motive to destroy the social fabric on one hand and disturb law & order situation in the state on the other. He said the Shiromani Akali Dal handled this sensitive situation with utmost care to restore people’s faith in the hard earned peace, harmony and brotherhood. He said the people of Punjab were wise enough and would never side with the anti-national elements because they have already passed through harrowing times during the decade long militancy in the state.
In his speech, the Food & Civil Supplies Minister Mr. Adesh Partap Singh Kairon said that Punjab was the only state in the Country which was providing free Atta-Dal to nearly 1.5 crore people out of total population of 2.5 crore in consonance with the Sikh philosophy for providing food to everyone and none should be starved due to penury. Mr. Kairon said that he was overwhelmed and fortunate enough to serve for this noble cause in SAD-BJP regime. He said that the underlying objective of Atta-Dal scheme was to feed everyone in the state because Punjab had played a stellar role in making our country self reliant in food production.
Speaking on the occasion, the Revenue & Public Relations Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia said that Mr. Badal was credited with ushering in an era of overall development and prosperity in the Majha region. On the contrary, Capt. Amarinder Singh during his stint as Chief Minister didn’t bother for its development. Taking Congress leadership to cudgels, Mr. Majithia said that it could never be absolved of its involvement for inciting 1984 genocide against Sikhs. He challenged the former MLA Khadoor Sahib Ramanjit Singh Sikki, who recently resigned from Punjab Vidhan Sabha not to re-contest by-election from Khadoor sahib on the Congress ticket, which had soaked its hands with the blood of innocent Sikhs, who were brutally massacred at the behest of senior leaders of the Congress party. He also reminded the insensitivity on the part of the then Prime Minister late Rajeev Gandhi, who casually said, “Whenever a hefty tree is uprooted the earth shakes.” He lamented that justice had still been elusive to the victims of 1984 Sikh genocide even after 31 years and the Congress leaders who were involved in this most heinous crime against humanity were moving scot free.
Making a frontal attack on the Aam Adami Party MP Bhagwant Mann, the Cabinet Minister said that Mr. Mann had thrown the glorious traditions of Sikh ‘Rehat Maryada’ (religious code of ethics) to winds. Deploring Bhagwant Mann, Mr. Majithia said how he (Mann) in an inebriated condition dared to enter the enclosure at Bargari during the Parkash of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Mr. Majithia said that this spoke volumes of double speak on his part as Bhagwant Mann was fanning the religious sentiments of people particularly the Sikhs on the issue of desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji but he as an habitual drunkard entered there showing his high headedness and utter disrespect to our eternal Guru.
In his address, National BJP General Secretary Mr. Tarun Chug felicitated the Shiromani Akali Dal on 95th Anniversary of its inception and described it was a party of masses in true sense which have ever safeguarded the interests of common man. He exuded confidence that SAD-BJP alliance will make a hat-trick by winning the forthcoming Assembly Elections in 2017. Castigating former Chief Minister and President Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee Capt. Amarinder Singh for his autocratic style of functioning, Mr. Chug said he was a Chief Minister from 11:00AM to 5:00PM whereas S. Badal was accessible to the people from 5:00AM till 11:00PM for prompt redressal of their grievances/hardships. He said that unprecedented development coupled with pro-people welfare policies of the government during the SAD-BJP regime has transformed the lives of millions of people from different sections of the society. Meanwhile, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Virsa Singh Valtoha conducted the proceedings of Sadbhawna rally and profusely thanked the people for enthusiastic participation.
Prominent amongst others present on the occasion included Lok Sabha MP Jathedar Ranjeet Singh Brahmpura, Cabinet Ministers Mr. Adesh Pratap Singh Kairon and Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike, Chief Parliamentary Secretaries Mr. Harmeet Singh Sandhu and Mr. Amarpal Singh Ajnala, MLAs Bibi Jagir Kaur and Mr. Manjeet Singh Mianwind, former Minister Jathedar Hira Singh Gabria, former MLA Mr. Manmohan Singh Sathiala, former Chairman PEDA Bhai Manjeet Singh, Chairman Pravaasi Bhalai Board Mr. RC Yadav, MLA Mr. Baljeet Singh Jalal Usma, Advisor to Chief Minister Mr. Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, Advisor to Chief Minister on National Affairs and Media Mr. Harcharan Bains, Media Advisor to Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Jangveer Singh, President Youth Akali Dal Majha Zone Mr. Ravi Kiran Singh Kahlon, former MP Mr. Raj Mohinder Singh Majithia, former MLAs Mr. Veer Singh Lopoke, Chairman district Planning Committee Tarn Taran Mr Ravinder Singh Brahmpura and SGPC Member Jathedar Alwinder Pal Singh Pakhoke.