Punjab CM Amarinder Singh targets Akali Dal, asks them to leave NDA

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh today expressed deep concern over Akal Takht Acting Jadar’s remarks that Sikhs were t safe even in India, and asked Takht to put pressure on Akalis to sever all ties with ruling alliance at Centre, which h been unable to ensure a sense of safety among mirities in country.

While he himself did t agree with Akal Takht Jadar’s remarks that Sikhs were t safe in India, Chief Minister said if former did feel that way n he should take up matter with Shiromani Akali Dal (S) and ask m to leave BJP-led coalition government at Centre, of which y are a part.

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'Unlike Pakistan, India h always taken pride in being a secular nation, with discrimination on religious grounds', said Captain Amarinder, ding that 'any feeling among Sikh community that y were t secure here was a matter of grave concern. If Sikhs were feeling insecure in this country, as stated by Acting Jadar of Akal Takht, Giani Harpreet Singh, n it was dispensation at Centre which was to blame', he stressed.

Given that Akalis claim to be custodians of Sikh religion and community, y should take a stand on issue, and S chief Sukhbir Bal should also ask his wife, Harsimrat Kaur Bal, to resign immediately as a Union Minister, Chief Minister. 

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Captain Amarinder said while some incidents here and re could t be construed to be a case of Sikhs t being safe in India, perception was as important as reality. Sikhs h lived through a very dark period in 1980s and any feeling of being at receiving end in any way would revive ir sense of fear, which would be detrimental to community’s interest, as well as that of nation, he ded.

As Chief Minister of a Sikh dominated state, he himself h always ensured that community’s interests were protected t just in Punjab but in or states also, said Captain Amarinder, recalling his personal intervention in cases of victimization of Sikhs wherever it might have taken place.

Citing S’s hypocrisy on issue of CAA, Captain Amarinder asked Akalis to take a clear stand on issues relating to mirities in India and stop playing double games on such matters. It is time y realised that y could t continue being part of coalition at Centre, which h failed to protect mirities in country, and yet claim to be guardians of se very mirities, he ded.

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