Describing the turban as an integral part of the ‘Sikh Identity’, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today said that the Union Government must mount pressure on national governments of foreign countries to stop the practice of removal of turban on name of ‘Security Check’ at International Airports.
Talking to the media persons here on the sidelines of the Sangat Drashan program in Gidderbaha Assembly segment, the Chief Minister said that it was unfortunate that the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) President Mr. Manjit Singh GK was asked to remove his turban during frisking at an international airport in Rome (Italy). He said that removal of turban on the name of security check in the foreign countries was a direct assault on the Sikh Identity and thus badly tormented their psyche adding that this grave disrespect to the Sikh Identity consciousness in any form was not at all tolerable. Mr. Badal said that in order to check this practice the Ministry of foreign affairs through its embassies in various countries must convey the respective national governments that they must accord due respect to the Turban by desisting from such practices, which hurt the religious sentiments of Sikhs. “I will soon take up this matter with the Prime Minister and the Union Foreign Affairs Minister for an immediate action” he added.
Expressing deep concern over the killing of five Indian soldiers by the Pakistan Army after crossing LoC in Poonch Sector of Jammu and Kashmir, the Chief Minister said that this reflected that the Union government has failed on all the fronts in the country, due to which it has lost its moral right to remain in Power. He reiterated that Union government has miserably failed in preserving the internal and external security of the country as a result of which the sovereignty of the country was under constant threat. Mr. Badal said that on the one hand countries like China and Pakistan have been repeatedly transgressing border treaties by indulging in such shameful activities and on the other hand the internal situation in country was highly volatile due to the problems like Naxalism, Terrorism and others.
Earlier addressing the gathering of village Peori, Daula, Bharu, Buttar Bakhua, Kot Bhai, Rukhala, Madheer and Hussanar, the Chief Minister slammed the PPP leader and former Finance Minister Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal for becoming a tool in the hands of the Congress party for weakening the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). Mr. Badal categorically said that he had handed over his political legacy to Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal but unfortunately he stabbed the SAD to fulfill his political ambitions. However he said that the people of Punjab have given befitting reply to Manpreet for his treachery due to which he was now seeking refuge in the Congress party for brightening his political prospects.
The Chief Minister pointed out that by joining hands with Congress, Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal has proved he hardly has any ideological commitment. Mr. Badal also exhorted all the Akali workers and leaders who had joined the PPP along with Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal to come back to the party fold. Manpreet had neither fulfilled the commitment made with his mother party nor with the masses made at the sacred land of Shaheed Bhagat Singh’s birth, so it was the high time that all those who had left SAD at his behest must come back to party fold, he added.
Terming Gidderbaha as a sacred land for him, the Chief Minister said that ever since the inception of his political career people of this assembly segment has showered a lot of love and respect to him, due to which he has high regards for them. Reiterating his commitment to further give impetus to the overall development of this constituency, Mr. Badal said that each and every problem of this area would be solved by the state government.Honoring 122 Akali workers and their kin who were lodged in jails with him during the various Akali agitations, the Chief Minister said that it was a dream come true for him as he had always aspired to felicitate these ‘heroes’ who had made supreme sacrifices for constituting the Akali governments in the state. Mr. Badal also said that he had asked the leaders to collect the data of all such leaders who had faced hardships in jail so that a pictorial Directory of these leaders could be compiled for inspiring the future generations about their rich legacy. He said the SAD was in power today just because of the struggle of these leaders due to it was their moral duty to honor them.
Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Lok Sabha MP from Faridkot Mrs. Paramjeet Kaur Gulshan, senior Akali leaders Mr. Hardeep Singh Dimpi Dhillon, Mr. Sant Singh Brar, Member SGPC Jathedar Navtej Singh Kauni, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. KJS Cheema and Deputy Commissioner Mr. Paramjeet Singh.