Punjab Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal today said that the Congress party was totally apathetic towards the contribution of Shaheed Bhagat Singh in national freedom struggle due to which its leaders have not bothered to organize a function to pay tribute to this true son of soil here at his native village.
Addressing the massive gathering here today in a state level function organized to pay tribute to the legendary martyr on his martyrdom day, the Chief Minister categorically said that the Congress could have planned the coronation ceremony of its new President on some other day rather than giving a miss to such historic day. He said that the Congress has never acknowledged the valuable contribution of these martyrs in national freedom struggle and its absence today was a testimony to it. Mr Badal categorically said that realizing well the supreme sacrifices made by Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev in liberating the country from yoke of foreign imperialism, he had hardly given any miss to this mega event in his entire political career. “Congress leaders must not forget that they have been enjoying the fruits of power just because of sacrifices made by these legendary heroes” he added.
The Chief Minister said that the Congress was least bothered about paying respect to the great martyrs of the country adding that the fact that no single memorial has been erected by the successive congress governments to commemorate the sacrifices of our great national heroes was a testimony to it. Taking a dig at the People’s Party of Punjab (PPP) Chief Mr Manpreet Singh Badal, the Chief Minister said that he had constituted his political party from this sacred land by taking the vow but it seems that he had also forgotten the date of martyrdom of these great heroes due to which he was absent also today. He said that Manpreet has committed political suicide by the leaving the Shiromani Akali Dal but the unfortunate thing was that now he has also forgotten the martyrs of the country.
Reiterating the commitment of state government to perpetuate the rich legacy of the great martyrs and freedom fighters of the country, the Chief Minister said that the “Jang-e-Azaadi” memorial would be constructed within two years by the state government to showcase the supreme sacrifices of the Punjabis in the national freedom struggle. He said that this memorial which would come up in Kartarpur near Jalandhar at a cost of Rs 200 crore would be a befitting tribute to the great heroes of freedom movement. Mr Badal also said that in the same manner a memorial to mark the great services rendered by Punjabis in Armed forces of the country for safeguarding the freedom of nation, was also coming up at Amritsar.
Lauding the contribution of state in Indian Independence movement the Chief Minister said that it was a matter of fact that Punjab was having a rich treasure in form of martyrs who had made selfless contribution for attaining the independence for the country. He said that we should feel proud on the fact that despite of having a population of only 2.5% in the country Punjab constitutes 80% of the total number of the martyrs of the freedom struggle. However Mr Badal said that the need of hour was that the message and contribution of martyrs of state must be disseminated to the people so that they could be made aware about the rich tradition of sacrifices set by their ancestors.
Making a scathing attack on the Congress party, the Chief Minister said that due to the wrong policies of this party, which had mostly remained in power ever since country attained independence, the dreams of martyrs remained unfulfilled. Mr Badal said that though the martyrs had laid down their lives for ensuring the betterment of people, during their own rule the situation was totally opposite as the countrymen were facing a large number of problems. He said that it was the irony of the fate that despite of having a bounty of natural resources the country remained poor due to the wrong policies of successive centre governments formed by the Congress party, thus resulting in a large number of social and economic maladies like unemployment, poverty, inflation, illiteracy and corruption in the country.
The Chief Minister rued that despite of the fact that Punjabis have made immense contribution in the freedom struggle and were uprooted due to the partition of country, the Congress governments have meted out a discriminatory treatment with the state by unnecessarily interfering in the social, economic, political and even the religious matters of the state. Bemoaning the grave injustice meted out to Punjab by the successive Congress governments at the Centre, Mr Badal said that refusal of Punjabi speaking areas and transfer of Chandigarh to the state along with denial of legitimate share of river waters in accordance with universally accepted Riparian Law were a testimony to it.
The Chief Minister pointed out that country was facing a peculiar situation as it was not safe both externally and internally. He said that due to the wrong policies of the UPA government today the country was having hostile border and internally also the security of the country was in peril.Training his guns against the UPA government for its anti-poor and pro rich policies, the Chief Minister said that it was paradoxical situation that the Congress which claims to be the votary of common man was in reality helping the big companies to mint the money illegally by safeguarding their interests in a clandestine manner. He said that it was shameful that instead of serving the people the Congress leaders sitting at coveted positions were plundering the tax payer’s money by indulging in corrupt practices. Mr Badal further said that neck deep in corruption; the Union Ministers of UPA government has amassed huge wealth, which could have duly helped in ensuring development of the country for coming several decades. He said that due to rampant corruption and misdeeds the tenure of UPA government has virtually became a synonym of scams and scandals, which have become the order of the day.
On the occasion the Chief Minister also felicitated the niece of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Mrs Raminder Kaur Mann and nephew of Shaheed Sukhdev, Mr Vinod Thapar
Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Cabinet Minister Mr Sarwan Singh Phillaur, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Chaudhary Nand Lal, State BJP President Mr Kamal Sharma, MLA Mr Daljeet Singh Cheema, former MLA Mr Mohan Singh Banga, Senior Akali leaders Mrs Jatinder Kaur Kareeha, Mr Jagateshwar Singh Majithia and Chairman district Planning Committee Mr Resham Singh Thiara