AAP govt ‘enacting drama’, anti-sacrilege law enacted in 2016: Sukhbir

Bathinda: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Sunday accused chief minister Bhagwant Mann of "enacting drama" in the name of special Vidhan Sabha session, claiming that the erstwhile SAD-BJP govt already enacted the anti-sacrilege law in 2016.Addressing a rally at Kotkapura town of Faridkot, the SAD chief said the anti-sacrilege law passed by the Vidhan Sabha in 2016 stipulated life sentence to anyone committing sacrilege against Guru Granth Sahib. However, the law is yet to be ratified by the Centre."Instead of indulging in a drama on this sensitive issue, the CM should take up this matter with the central govt and get it passed," said Sukhbir.The Akali leader also stated that incidents of sacrilege started in Punjab in 2015 after the Aam Aadmi Party made its entry into the state. "AAP legislator Naresh Yadav was even convicted in a sacrilege case but the AAP is yet to tell Punjabis why it defended Yadav and even fielded its senior most leaders Harpal Singh Cheema and Harjot Singh Bains to fight his case," Sukhbir added.He reiterated that Delhi-based parties always discriminated against Punjab. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal have no concern for Punjab, but the SAD is part and parcel of Punjab and its people, said the senior leader."The Akali Dal stands for ‘sewa' while the parties from Delhi only believe in ruling and looting," said the SAD chief.Apart from providing 12-hour power supply to farmers during daytime, Sukhbir said, all those bereft of tubewell connections would get the same immediately if the SAD formed govt in 2027.AAP harassing govt employeesLater, addressing a rally in Moga, Sukhbir said the AAP was forcing govt employees to obey its illegal dictates by indulging in physical and mental harassment and even threats of elimination to their family members.SAD president said a case of mental harassment and torture being meted out to an SDM-level officer came to the fore, which proved that the AAP did not believe in the rule of law and could do anything to secure poll victories.Badal said it was shocking that the SDM-level officer detailed the harassment being meted out to him to the higher officials and disclosed how he was forced to elect AAP candidates to the posts of chairperson and vice-chairperson of Block Samiti. He said despite an official communication, the official was not getting justice.The Akali leader said this came close on the heels of the suicide by Warehousing Corporation district manager Gagandeep Singh Randhawa, who was physically and mentally harassed by then transport minister Laljit Bhullar.Sukhbir asked employees to not obey illegal orders.MSID:: 129733742 413 |