Divest CM of Panth Rattan title, Akal Takht urged

Chandigarh: Human rights organisations and Sikh have approached the Akal Takht Jathedar, seeking that “Panth Rattan Fakhr-e-Quam” conferred on CM Parkash Singh Badal be taken back for his “anti-Panthic” activities and the “widespread drug addiction and violation of human rights” in the state.

They said the decision of the Akal Takht Jathedar, Giani Gurbachan Singh, to honour Badal with the title was taken in haste. “Since Badal has not done nothing much for the Sikh community and his acts have led to the degeneration of the highest Sikh traditions,” the Akal Takht should take the title back from him immediately, the radicals demanded.

The Punjab Human Rights Organisation, Lawyers for Human Rights International, Akhand Kirtani Jatha, SAD (Panch Pardhani), Dal Khalsa Guru Aasra Trust and Guru Granth Da Khalsa Panth represented by Justice Ajit Singh Bains, Amar Singh Chahal, Tejinder Singh Sudan, Gurdarshan Singh Dhillon, Rajinder Pal Singh, Kulbir Kaur, Harpal Singh Cheema, Kamikkar Singh, Satnam Singh Paonta Sahib and Manjit Singh have sent a letter to the Akal Takht Jathedar in this regard.

“We have been seeking time from the Jathedar, so that a discussion can be held on this serious issue, but in vain. Now we have sent a registered letter to the Akal Takht Jathedar seeking revocation of the title conferred on Parkash Singh Badal…

“Napolean had declared himself an emperor, but the Pope had refused to accept this, upholding the highest religious traditions,” said Dhillon, claiming that the letter to the Akal Takht chief had nothing to do with the coming elections.

“Punjab has witnessed a spurt in the drug trade, land grab incidents and smuggling of narcotics during the 10-year Badal misrule. Instead of accepting such titles, he should own moral responsibility for the degeneration witnessed on all fronts and quit.

“Badal blames the Centre for the narco-terrorism unleashed in the state. Can Badal answer why 65 per cent of inmates lodged in state-controlled jails have become addicts? “The BSF only controls the 550-km-long international border on the Punjab frontier. Why has a state with the highest concentration of police personnel failed to act against those indulging in the drug trade,” asked Justice Bains. The leaders blamed Badal for the “proliferation” of deras.

Source: The Tribune