KHADUR SAHIB, Punjab—In a significant development, former Punjab chief minister and Congress MP Captain Amrinder Singh has claimed that “Amritsar Declaration” was signed by the leaders of various Akali factions only to bring Simranjit Singh Mann into the fold of Indian constitution. Also, he maintained that he never abstained from the declaration and still stands with Sikhs.
Along with his supporters, Capt was on his visit to Khadur Sahib where he paid obeisance at Sri Darbar Sahib (Angitha Sahib). A person questioned him as why did he sign the declaration which demanded sovereign Sikh state. He replied that he did so along with other Akali leaders with the motive of bringing Simranjit Singh Mann into the fold of Indian constitution as later was not recognizing the constitution. He insisted that he did not do so alone, and other Akali leaders also signed the historical statement.
When he was questioned as to why he abstained from the declaration despite taking oath to struggle for it, he said angrily, “Who said I did so? I did never abstain from it and still stand with Sikhs”.
It is worth mentioning that few days ago, SAD (B) minister Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema held that Capt Amrinder Singh had signed the declaration which demands the separate Sikh state. Reacting on this, Capt claimed that the declaration only demand more powers to states, not “Khalistan, the independent Sikh state.
In fact, it has been described in last line of the declaration that sovereign Sikh state will be demanded in case demand of autonomy for Punjab is not met. By making the new statement on the issue, Capt has triggered new debate in this regard.
