CM: Congress using Sarna for meddling in Sikh affairs

Lambi, Punjab: Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today alleged the Congress was meddling in the religious affairs of Sikhs by undermining the position of Akal Takht Jathedar through its “B-team” led by former president of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee Paramjit Singh Sarna, which was intolerable.

Interacting with media persons on the sidelines of his Sangat Darshan here today, Badal said: “The filing of a criminal petition against Akal Takht Jathedar through an aide of Sarna, a trusted agent of the Congress, proved that the Congress was maneuvering to denigrate the revered position of the jathedar”.

He said the jathedar’s authority had never been questioned as Akal Takht was the highest temporal seat of Sikhs and even kings like Maharaja Ranjit Singh had always bowed before its power and accepted its orders (hukamnamas).

The Chief Minister alleged that to take political mileage, the Congress leadership was bent on destroying the federal structure of the Constitution by ignoring the state government ruled by opposition parties during inauguration of key projects. He said while laying the foundation stone of PGI’s satellite centre in Sangrur, the Congress leadership “stooped too low, giving a fatal blow to the Centre-state relationship”.

He said: “It will not deter us from welcoming leaders from the Centre to the state. We will give honor and respect to the PM or any other minister, if they come to Punjab”.

Source: The Tribune