हिंदी
Separate Sikh state is not an issue of Punjab among numerous burning issues: AAP
The Leader of the Opposition slammed Raja Amarinder Singh and the Badals
Jalandhar, 14 September 2020
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab has sought clarification from Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) President Sukhbir Singh Badal and former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on the statement made by Giani Harpreet Singh, Jathedar of Akal Takht in which he (Jathedar Sahib) has justified the demand for a separate Sikh state citing the condition of the Sikhs in India.
Addressing a press conference here on Monday, senior party leader and Leader of the Opposition Harpal Singh Cheema vehemently opposed the demand for a separate Sikh state.
In the presence of senior party leader and MLA Kultar Singh Sandhwan from Kotkapura, Harpal Singh Cheema said, though Aam Aadmi Party is a secular party but has immense respect for Sri Akal Takht which is highest temporal seat of the Sikh community and Giani Harpreet Singh being the Jathedar Sahib of the sacred Takht is also worthy of respect, but we clearly oppose his statements from time to time about a separate Sikh state / Khalistan. This demand is not the issue of the people of Punjab, but divert the attention of the people from the core issues and dispel fear and terror among the people. Such statements are a threat to the unity and integrity of the country. ”
Harpal Singh Cheema sought clarification from Sukhbir Singh Badal and Parkash Singh Badal as to whether they agreed with the demand for a separate Sikh state. Does Giani Harpreet Singh make such statements with their consent? Cheema also asked the BJP to clarify the situation regarding the stand of the Badals on the issue.
Harpal Singh Cheema said that whenever Badal was out of power, his affection for Punjab and Panth was awakened but when he was in power neither Panth nor Punjab was remembered. They have always focussed on the seat of power and in order to fulfill their nefarious aims they can go to the extent of spreading terror among the public.
Cheema said that Chief Minister Amarinder Singh was also an expert in pursuing narrow politics on the lines of Badals. Thanks to all this, Punjab has already suffered a lot and is still on decline.
Harpal Singh Cheema said that currently there are several burning issues like anti-agriculture ordinances, farmer-labor loans, suicides, desecration of Guru Granth Sahib, missing holy scrolls, unemployment, spurious liquor and mafia, Dalit student scholarship scam and uncontrollable corona epidemic are the core issues and in order to divert attention from all these issues, Raja and Badal are making vain and terrifying statements with internal collusion.
Cheema said that the mismanagement of SAD-BJP and Congress, patriarchal and corrupt governments had created misery not only for Sikhs but for all sections of the society. Cheema quoted Jathedar Sahib as saying that Sikhs and Sikhi, let alone India, have suffered the most in Punjab for which Badal and Raja Amarinder Singh are equally responsible. Advocating for more rights to the states, Cheema said that these traditional parties have constantly strangled the federal structure and robbed the states of their rights.
