हिंदी
(Core committee expresses concern over murder of democracy by AAP functionaries in the Panchayat elections)
(Says 11 member committee will approach Sri Akal Takht Jathedar and will apprise him of important developments vis a vis complaints filed against the SAD president and other leaders before the Takth)
Chandigarh, October 13, 2024
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today warned the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government to procure each and every grain of paddy and lift paddy reaching Mandis in the State within 72 hours or be ready to face a sustained agitation to ensure justice to farmers.
This decision was taken at a meeting of the core committee which was presided over by party Working President Balwinder Singh Bhundar. The core committee noted that farmers were suffering due to the utter failure of the government to either procure paddy coming into the Mandis or get the same lifted in coordination with the central government. It noted that this state of affairs had not been ever witnessed in the history of the State and asked chief minister Bhagwant Mann to wake up from his slumber and ensure farmers did not suffer or else resign from his chair.
Briefing newsmen about the decisions of the core committee, senior leader Dr Daljit Singh Cheema said the core committee expressed concern at the manner in which the AAP government had murdered democracy in the ongoing Panchayat elections. He said there were hundreds of instances where opposition candidates were not allowed to file nomination papers by turning them away, snatching their papers or even using violence to keep them away from offices of Returning Officers. He said with the State Election Commission (SEC) also succumbing to pressure from the government and not adjudicating on complaints filed before it, it was left to the high court to ensure justice was done. He thanked the high court for restoring nomination papers with regard to 321 petitions filed before it. Dr Cheema said following this the SEC was also forced to cancel elections in 24 villages in Gidderbaha where papers of opposition candidates were rejected illegally.
The core committee also took umbrage to the manner in which the Advocate General’s office in Punjab was working against the interests of Punjabis by opposing the petitions of highhandedness filed by them. “This makes it clear that the AG Office is being used to crush the democratic rights of the people instead of safeguarding them. The chief minister must clarify if he gave these instructions”, the committee asked.
Meanwhile in an important development, Dr Cheema disclosed that an eleven member committee led by party Working President Balwinder Singh Bhundar would approach the Sri Akal Takht Jatehdar and apprise him of important developments vis a vis the complaint filed against the SAD president and other leaders before the Takth. “The SAD president and the concerned leaders have already submitted their clarifications with regard to the complaints filed against them to the Takht with utmost humility. Now we are in the process of seeking an appointment with the Jathedar in this regard. We will make an important appeal to him based upon certain information with us”, Dr Cheema added.
The core committee also condemned the murderous attack on journalist Ramesh Behal in Batala which the latter claimed was done at the behest of Batala legislator Sharry Kalsi. It demanded a case be registered against the MLA and other guilty persons even as it appealed to civil society to stand up for freedom of the press. The committee also paid glowing obituaries to former Takth Patna Sahib President Mahinder Singh Romana and Tata group Chairman Ratan Tata on the occasion.
Members present in the meeting included SGPC president S. Harjinder Singh Dhami, S. Janmeja Singh Sekhon S. Gulzar Singh Ranike, S. Mahesinder Singh Grewal, Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema, S. Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, S. Hira Singh Gabria, S. Sohan Singh Thandal, S. Paramjit Singh Sarna, S. Manjit Singh G.K, S. Iqbal Singh Jhunda, S. Virsa Singh Valtoha, Sh. N.K Sharma, S. Mantar Singh Brar, and S. Harmeet Singh Sandhu. Special invitees Harcharan Singh Bains, S. Sarbjit Singh Jhinjer and S. Arshdeep Singh Kler were also present. EOM
