Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today cautioned the people of the state to desist from the nefarious designs of divisive forces who were hell bent upon to disturb the hard earned peace, communal harmony, brotherhood and amity. Mr. Badal also warned against the conspiracies to push Punjab back towards dark days of violence and bloodshed.Addressing a mammoth gathering on the 100th martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha here at his native village during a state level function, Mr. Badal categorically said that few people, agencies and forces inimical to the peace and prosperity were stoking fire to create an atmosphere of despair, uncertainty and hatred to pursue their personal agenda of opportunism thereby creating a wedge between the people through exploiting their religious sentiments. Mr. Badal warned the people not to be swayed by the false propaganda unleashed by these anti-Punjab elements who had once pushed our state to black days of terrorism for nearly one-and-a-half decade adding he said which had ultimately denigrated Punjab in a stage of backwardness but however the SAD-BJP alliance was trying hard to put Punjab back on the path of development and prosperity in the right earnest. He said peace earned through unparalleled sacrifices must be preserved and sought people’s cooperation to resolve all issues through consensus and cooperation.
The Chief Minister recalled that Sikhs had a proud patriotic legacy handed down to them by great Gurus which must be preserved at all costs, adding he said that no one should be allowed to distort it. Thus peace and communal harmony was his top priority. He further said that Punjabis and Sikhs image as sword arm of country must not be tarnished. He emphasized the need to defeat conspiracies to paint Punjabis and Sikhs as terrorists and anti-national people. Mr. Badal also highlighted the enormous role of Sikhs in the Defense Services of the country.Asking the people to be judgmental to come out of this illusion, Mr. Badal said that whether they wanted to blindly follow the path shown by the detractors who were hostile to the Punjab’s peace, progress and prosperity or to become partners in the unprecedented growth, development and welfare of all sections of the society under the regime of SAD-BJP alliance government. The Chief Minister said that he would not even hesitate to seek apology from the general public if he had committed anything wrong in the larger interest of the state’s peace, prosperity and development.
Training guns at the fissiparous forces who under the guise of Sarbat Khalsa has ruined the Sikh code of ethics (maryada) and religious Institutions, Mr. Badal said the way these anti-panthic leaders had undermined the significance of Supreme Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Sikh’s Mini Parliament Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) spoke volumes of their arrogance and desperation to meet their narrow vested interests. Making an oblique reference to some political parties who actively participated in the gathering at Chaba, Mr. Badal raised certain doubts over their credentials of being secular.Reiterating his firm commitment that SAD-BJP alliance government would make all out efforts to maintain law & order in the state, Chief Minister said that he had no doubts in his mind that the wise people of state would never allow these anti-Punjab forces to succeed in their dubious plans to destroy the social fabric.
Paying glorious tribute to Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha on this historic day, Mr. Badal said that the real homage to this great martyr would be to take a pledge on this solemn day to further strengthen the bonds of unity, integrity and brotherhood in our country. The Chief Minister also announced to declare November 16 as a Gazetted holiday every year in observance of the martyrdom day of Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha.Acceding to the request of local MLA Mr. Manpreet Singh Ayali, the Chief Minister announced of a development grants of Rs. two crore of which one crore would be spent on the various development works of village and Sarabha-the native of Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha and the balance one crore would be utilized for the construction of Sports Complex.Later addressing the media persons, the Chief Minister categorically said that results of Bihar Assembly polls would have no bearing on the forthcoming state assembly elections of Punjab in 2017.
On the issue of farmers, the Chief Minister said that Punjab Government was ever sensitized to the concerns and issues of peasantry and had always been in forefront to bail them out from any sort of crisis. He said the present cotton crisis was a different issue as it was not only restricted to Punjab but the whitefly attack had almost vanished the cotton crop in the neighboring states like Rajasthan and Haryana. He said the state government had already paid compensation worth Rs. 640 Cr. to the cotton growers in lieu of their damaged crops.The Chief Minister told the media persons that he would soon address several Sadbhawna Rallies across the state starting from Bathinda on November 23 followed by Sangat Darshan programs.Prominent amongst others who addressed on the occasion included Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Mr. Charanjit Singh Atwal, Cabinet Minister Mr. Sharanjeet Singh Dhillon, MLA Mr. Manpreet Singh Ayali and President SAD Rural Ludhiana and Chairman PSSSB Mr. Santa Singh Umedpuri besides Mr. Darshan Singh Shivalik, Mr. Ranjit Singh Dhillon and Mr. SR Kler (All MLAs). Apart from these several senior leader and workers of SAD-BJP also participated in the function.