Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today slammed the irresponsible leaders of some political parties which were hell bent upon to divide the people on sectarian lines and disintegrate the country with the sole motive to pursue their narrow vested interests.Addressing a mammoth gathering after paying glorious tributes on the martyrdom day of Baba Fateh Singh Ji and Baba Zoravar Singh Ji- the younger Sahibzadas of the tenth master of Sikhs Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji and his mother Mata Gujari Ji here during the state level Shaheedi conference, Mr. Badal categorically said that our country especially Punjab was not in a position to bear the pangs of such turmoil anymore as it had already passed through turbulent times during partition way back in 1947 when nearly five lakh persons were killed and about five crore people migrated from India to Pakistan and vice-versa.
Reminding the agony of partition, the Chief Minister said that Sikhs had to bear the brunt of partition the most as they were deprived of their religious shrines like Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Gurdwara Nankana Sahib and Gurdwara Shaheedi Asthan Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji in Lahore and they still cherish to have their glimpse (Darshan Didar) in their daily prayer ‘Ardas’. He warned the people to beware of the nefarious designs of these anti-national elements, who were now raising a demand for separate country which would further aggravate the situation as on today we were longing for our Sikh shrines left in Pakistan after partition, tomorrow we would have to repent for our religious places like Gurdwara Sri Sheeshganj Sahib, New Delhi besides Takht Sri Patna Sahib in Bihar and Takht Sri Hazur Sahib in Nanded (Maharashtra).
Branding the Congress party as No.1 enemy of Sikhs, the Chief Minister said that it was an established fact and more over it was on the record that this party had done lot of injustice to the state by depriving of its capital, legitimate share in river waters and Punjabi speaking areas. He said that the Congress party had inflicted a deep wound on Sikh psyche by attacking the Sri Harmandir Sahib and by killing thousands of innocent Sikhs during 1984 Sikh carnage. Mr. Badal said that Congress was solely responsible for decade long militancy in the state in which more than 21,000 people were killed and thus the state’s economy was derailed beyond anyone’s imagination. Without mincing any words Mr. Badal even said anyone who joined hands with Congress was equally responsible for its misdeeds and conspiracies perpetrated by it against Punjab and would ultimately put a seal of his approval on their unpardonable sins like attack on Sri Harmandar Sahib in Amritsar and other excesses meted out to Punjab and Punjabis.
The Chief Minister said that the unfortunate decision to attack Sri Darbar Sahib by the Indian Army at the behest of the then Congress leadership at the helm of affairs could never be wiped out from the psyche of Sikhs. He said, “It was a sad story as none could ever dreamt that its own army will attack Sri Darbar Sahib- the most revered shrine which was far dearer to them (Sikhs) then their own life, who had ever been in forefront to safeguard their nation’s security, integrity and sovereignty at all costs.”The Chief Minister said that he was duty bound to preserve peace, communal harmony, amity and brotherhood in the state till his last breath since these were the basic ingredients of development, progress and prosperity and would never compromise to safeguard these supreme values. He urged the people to thwart the anti-national designs for the sake of preserving national integrity, peace and brotherhood, adding he said the Punjabis had already paid a heavy price for decade long militancy in the state which had ruined it economically due to mass exodus of industry from here.
Appealing the people to go for soul searching, Mr. Badal cautioned the people to be vigilant while making up their mind to support any political outfit provided it was competent enough to cherish their aspirations and ensure overall development and prosperity. Referring to the mushrooming of new political party especially the fledging Aam Adami Party (AAP) which was spreading its wings in Punjab, the Chief Minister said that it was a frustrated lot of novices already rejected by the people and its Delhi model of administrative failure was a live proof of its inability to handle state affairs. The Chief Minister advised the people that lending a support to any political party tantamount to handing over their destiny to them for which they had to repent later for such unwise decisions. He further said that Shiromani Akali Dal was an able and administratively experienced party and was well versed with the problems of the peoples and ground realities, on the contrary Congress and AAP were not even remotely concerned about the hardships being faced by the people at grass roots.
The Chief Minister said that leaders like Amarinder, Chottepur and Khaira were habitual turncoats and their sole aim was to pursue the politics of opportunism. He said their loyalty to party was the least consideration for them, the moment they were denied some position or ticket in the party, they care two hoots for it. Mr. Badal in a lighter vein said, “For God forbid, if I leave my party I am sure tomorrow none would say hello or offer a cup of tea to me.” The Chief Minister said it was the only party which gives respect and recognition to the person and without it he was nothing.The Chief Minister said that Capt. Amarinder Singh left the Shiromani Akali Dal as he too was denied ticket because he didn’t fulfill the prescribed criteria for the ticket allotment. Mr. Badal said when he enquired from Amarinder whether he had ever been to jail or participated any religious or panthic morcha, Amarinder replied in negative saying he was Maharaja and such activities were never a part of their lifestyle or upbringing.
Mr. Badal said that the SAD-BJP alliance government had ensured unprecedented development in every front be it agriculture, industry, infrastructure and the prosperity and welfare of all sections of the society. He said to make the youngsters apprise with our rich cultural heritage Bhagwan Valmik Memorial was being constructed at Amristar at a cost of Rs.250 crore, Jang-e-Azadi at Kartarpur at Rs.200 crore and war memorial at Amritsar. He said our government had been paying the cost of energizing farmer’s tube-wells by reimbursing Rs.5000 crore annually to the PSPCL and mentioned new tube well connections would be soon released to the farmers. He said Rs.640 crore as compensation has been disbursed to the farmers whose cotton crop was damaged due to white fly attack and for the first time 10% of this amount i.e. Rs. 64 crore had been earmarked as relief to the cotton labour especially the cotton pickers.
Later addressing the media persons on the sidelines of the function, the Chief Minister announced that the Punjab Cabinet would soon take a decision to declare the holy cities of Fatehgarh Sahib and Anandpur Sahib as Sri Fatehgarh Sahib and Sri Anandpur Sahib as a mark of respect and its glorious legacy. He also announced that the construction work of Baba Zoravar Singh Baba Fateh Singh Memorial Stadium would start shortly. Mr. Badal said that he had already given nod to execute work on the prestigious Baba Moti Ram Mehra Memorial in recognition with his supreme sacrifice.In his address, the Deputy Chief Minister, S. Sukhbir Singh Badal avowed to bring the apostic Sikh (Patits) youth back into the fold of Sikh Maryada (religious code of conduct) and asked the SGPC chief to intensify efforts in this regard. He said this would be a real tribute to the younger Sahibzadas who have laid their lives for the sake of religious freedom and righteousness.
Paying homage here on the second day of the Shaheedi Jor Mela commemorating the supreme sacrifice of Mata Gujar Kaur Ji and 2 younger Sahibzadas, the Deputy Chief Minister exhorted the people to distinguish between their real benefactors (Apna Apna Hi Hunda Hai) sand enemies lurking in the shadows.
S. Badal also appealed to the elders and parents to wean away the youth from intoxicants and narcotic drugs and involve them into religious and sporting activities so that Punjab could have all inclusive development and attain progress. He gave a call to the people of the state to remain steadfast in their devotion to the ideals of unity and said that only that ‘Qaum’ remains strong which stands united in the face of every challenge and maintains its cultural heritage.Elaborating religio-social agenda on this historic occasion S. Badal said 350th Parkash Utsav of Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji would be celebrated with fanfare in all villages to inform the younger generation about sacrifices made by our revered gurus. He also announced that SGPC would send exhibition vans in each village to showcase ‘Char Sahibzade’ movie to the people.
Elaborating more, S. Badal said that SGPC members would also initiate Langar Sewa at Darbar Sahib. Announcing more, he said that Kirtan Darbars and Amrit Sanchar would also be held by the SGPC in each town and village from January this.Calling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) a true representative of the Sikhs, S. Badal said that this 95 year old party has made enormous sacrifices for the cause of freedom struggle as well as Sikh panth. He elaborated that only SAD has been vocal in raising issues concerning Sikhism e.g.---Turban issue in France, Writing of racist messages outside a gurdwara in US, at various National and International foras. He said that it is only the SAD government which has always celebrated the religious days of Sikhs with great enthusiasm and brought Punjab on the world tourism map with the inauguration of Virasat-E-Khalsa, War memorial at Chapparchiri and beautification of the area in front of Sri Darbar Sahib.
Taking the Congress party to task, S. Badal dared congress to list even a single social, economic or political development carried out by it. The Deputy Chief Minister said that the congress, responsible for attacking Sri Harmandir Sahib as well as massacaring innocent Sikhs in 1984, has left no stone unturned in taking political mileage out of the recent unfortunate incidents of sacrilege. Sounding a warning note, he said that the SAD would not allow the nefarious designs of the congress to succeed and is ready to make any sacrifice. Taking a dig on AAP, the Deputy Chief Minister said that this’Topiwali’ party is now vying for control over religious affairs of the Sikhs which SAD would not tolerate at any cost.Divulging more, he said that the CBI investigation would soon bring out the whole truth and the real perpetrators behind these heinous incidents would be exposed before the public.
Touching the development plank, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the real development of Punjab has taken place only under SAD regime. Disclosing more about the pro-development initiatives of the government, S. Badal said that every assembly constituency would get Rs. 25-40 Crore for development purposes and a total of Rs. 6000 crore would be spent on the overall development of each of the 12,500 villages of Punjab. Disclosing further, he said that in the next 6 years, each and every drain and street in each village of the state would be concretized which would lead to a ‘Swachh Punjab’, thereby giving fillip to the Swachh Bharat Mission..
Adding more, he dwelt on the efforts being made by the state government to strengthen road infrastructure in the state, Health and Accidental insurance schemes for poor, farmers and trader class, Pension to Sangharshi Yoddhas undergoing jail during emergency and Punjabi Suba movement.Badal said that the real homage to the Guru’s would be to fulfill their ideals regarding creating a society free of communal tensions so that humanity can live in a peaceful atmosphere.Prominent amongst others who spoke on the occasion included Member Parliament from Anandpur Sahib Prof. Prem Singh Chandumajra, Member Rajya Sabha Balwinder Singh Bhundar, former SGPC President and MLA Bolath Bibi Jagir Kaur, President SGPC Avtar Singh Makkar, MLA Bassi Pathana Justice (Retd.) Nirmal Singh, ex-MLA Didar Singh Bhatti, SAD District President Fatehgarh Sahib Ranjit Singh Libra, Member SGPC Karnail Singh Panjoli besides several senior leaders and workers of Shiromani Akali Dal and members of SGPC also participated in Shaheedi conference. Senior Cabinet Minister including Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema, Surjit Singh Rakhra and Advisor to Chief Minister on National Affairs and Media Mr. Harcharan Bains besides ex-SGPC Chief Prof. Kirpal Singh Badungar, ex-Minister Hira Singh Gabaria, Chairman Punjab State Subordinate selection board Santa Singh Umaidpuri.