Kartarpur (Jalandhar), December 2, 2021 (Yes Punjab News)
Launching a frontal assault on the BJP and the central government, Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal today described the coercive and dirty tactics used to secure Manjinder Singh Sirsa’ entry into the BJP as “a direct attack on the Khalsa Panth, the Sikh religious institutions and the SAD.”
“This is BJP’s revenge against us for standing by our principles, breaking the Alliance with them and quitting the cabinet to stand by the farmers. But we have no regrets whatsoever. In fact, we are very proud of what we did then. We don’t care what consequences will follow for standing up for principles. We are ready for repression, oppression and conspiracies and will defeat them,” said Mr Badal addressing media persons here.
The SAD president further said that “this new attack is a continuation of the old tactics of mixing repression, oppression and conspiracy to break the spirit of the Sikh quom. This spirit is symbolized by the principle (Sidhant) of Miri Piri which the SAD has always championed and will continue to do so . “Let them try everything. Repression cannot break us. The Mughals tried it. The British tried it. The Congress rulers including Indira Gandhi tried it. The whole world knows what the outcome then was. It will be no different this time,” declared the SAD president
Mr Badal said that the BJP government was stooping to a new low in abusing power to deal with democratic opposition, especially the minorities. “They put a gun on Sirsa’s head and asked him to choose between jail and joining the BJP. I am so disappointed and sad that instead of being true to the traditions of his religion against repression, Sirsa chose to bow down. This was disgraceful, especially coming from someone on whom the Sikh quom and the SAD have bestowed so much honour.”
Mr Badal said that similar cases were registered against the SAD (Delhi Unit) president Jathedar Harmeet Singh Kalka and 11 other members of the DSGMC. “I am proud that all of them upheld the traditions of the Khalsa and chose to fight the oppressor rather than compromising with the enemy. They emerged as hero in the eyes of the Sikh masses. As president of the party whom the Delhi Sikh Sangat honoured with trust in the DSGMC elections, I am proud of these warriors.”
Mr Badal said that Sirsa leaving SAD will not create even a minor ripple in Punjab as he has no following in the state. “Everybody in Punjab knows that he has no roots here.” Asked if other Akali leaders could also be targeted by the BJP government at the center, Mr Badal said that they will stop at nothing. “We dare the enemies of the Khalsa Panth to try every repressive measure. They will find out what they are up against. We thrive on challenge and pressure,” said Mr Badal.
Earlier, while campaigning for the SAD-BSP alliance candidate Advocate Balwinder Kumar in Kartarpur constituency, the SAD president was accorded a warm reception. Hundreds of motorcycle-borne youngsters with Kesari and Blue flags escorted S. Sukhbir Singh Badal to different places. During the tour, Mr Sukhbir Badal also paid obeisance at Dera Sachkhand Ballan, Dera Sant Baba Pritam Das Ji, Gurdwara Shaheedan, Sarmastpur, Gurdawara Sri Gangsar Sahib and also visited a Gaushala. He paid floral tribute to Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar’s statue, at Kartarpur city.
The day-long activities of the SAD president included various public meetings and also a meeting with the entire party leadership of Doaba region, where he motivated all to work hard for the party and shared plans for the Shiromani Akali Dal’s centenary celebration rally at Moga.
Among others, Jagbir Singh Brar and Dalbir Singh Mahal accompanied the party president.
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