Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) President Capt. Amarinder Singh on Monday hailed the Supreme Court verdict on misuse of religion and caste by political parties and said the order upholds the secular ethos of the Indian Constitution.Referring to the SC verdict that politicians can't use religion, caste, creed or language for seeking votes, the PPCC president told a select group of media persons here that the order has far reaching implications for Punjab where the Akalis have always misused religion to seek votes. He said that even today Akali leaders were taking people to Gurdwaras and making them swear their support to SAD.Accusing Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal, of time and again raising the boogey of Sikh panth being in danger in order to polarize religious votes ahead of elections, Captain Amarinder said its time that all this is put to an end. He also accused the Akalis of misusing the Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) for electoral purposes.
He alleged that many Akali leaders were holding ‘Ardaas’ outside Gurdwaras with an intent to influence people to cast their vote on basis of their religion. Capt. Amarinder said it is extremely unfortunate and shameful that Akali leaders, led by none other than the Badals, were indulging in such tactics.Replying to a question, Captain Amarinder said he was heading to the holy Takht Sri Patna Sahib Gurdwara to participate in the 350th birth anniversary celebrations of the tenth Sikh Guru Gobind Singh on Tuesday. He said Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa and its ideology is today followed by all.Reiterating his commitment to waive off all farmers’ loans after forming the government in Punjab, Captain Amarinder made it clear that he would fulfill his commitment with or without the centre’s support. “I have made a promise to the farmers of Punjab and I’ll settle every penny they owe”, he said.