AMRITSAR SAHIB, Punjab—After being cornered by the political opponents on Youth Manifesto issue, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is in defensive mode. For using Darbar Sahib’s image with AAP symbol “broom” on its ‘youth manifesto’, Supreme Court lawyer and senior party leader HS Phoolka has announced to reach Darbar Sahib on July 10 along with party volunteers to apologize on behalf of the party.
Phoolka said he would perform ‘ardas’ to tender his apology over AAP’s “Unintentional” mistake of using the supreme Sikh shrine’s picture on title of the manifesto and comparing it with Guru Granth Sahib by party leader Ashish Khetan. He said he would also perform ‘sewa’ in Guru Ram Das langar hall.
The AAP leader told Sikh24 that he took this decision in consultation with party national convener Arvind Kejriwal. “It all took place unintentionally. Clearly, the leader from Delhi could not feel sensitivity of the matter. I have received a number of phone calls that the AAP should not have use picture of Darbar Sahib in such a way”, he added.
Giving a call to AAP volunteers to join him at Darbar Sahib on July 10, Phoolka said surely the move had drawn flaks from large number of people Punjab across the across the world.
It may be recalled that despite tendering apology for the ‘mistake’ , AAP leader Ashish Khetan has been booked under Section 295-A (for hurting religious sentiments) at Civil Lines police station, Amritsar, on the basis of a complaint lodged by All India Sikh Students’ Federation (AISSF) president Karnail Singh Peer Mohammad. Now, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has also announced to lodge complaint against the AAP leaders in manifesto row.
Sources said, on appeal of Phoolka, Khetan and other senior leaders may also reach Darbar Sahib on July 10.
On the other hand, ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) is leaving no stone unturned to corner the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) which is ruled by the Akali Dal, on Thursday announced to move court against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Arvind Kejriwal, youth leader Ashish Khetan, Kanwar Sandhu and other party leaders for hurting religious sentiments of Sikhs.
The SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar said the apex gurdwara body would file plea in Amritsar court soon.
Rejecting apology tendered by the AAP leaders on the issue, Makkar said, “First AAP attacked Punjab Language in delhi, then demolished the Chhabeel of Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib and now compared the manifest with Guru Granth Sahib. These acts will not be tolerated anymore”, he added.
It is notable that despite tendering apology for the ‘mistake’ , AAP leader Ashish Khetan has been booked under Section 295-A (for hurting religious sentiments) at Civil Lines police station, Amritsar, on the basis of a complaint lodged by All India Sikh Students’ Federation (AISSF) president Karnail Singh Peer Mohammad. Now, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has also announced to lodge complaint against the AAP leaders in manifesto row. Thus, trouble for AAP is increasing day by day.
M Singh , keep it up, I am waiting for that day when what you wrote above will come true.
It s brave fornt demostrated by aap by tendering apology, nakli akalis shod now come and tender their apology for henous crimes they have done and continue to do on the sikh nation.
https://www.facebook.com/balbir.singh.355
Good that they have recognised their grave error and are ready to atone for it. Maybe Congress, Akali (Ba)Dal and SGPC might learn a lesson in humility also and follow their example for their own transgressions against the Sikh kaum.