:dateline:After receiving major setback in recently contested�Indian Parliamentary Elections, ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) leader and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Badal recalls sensitive issues concerned with Sikhs and Punjab. On Friday, Badal took up the following�issues�injustice in case of 1984 Sikh genocide, transferring Chandigarh and Punjabi speaking areas to Punjab, Punjab river water dispute, voting rights to so-called Sehajdhari Sikhs, row of separate Gurudwara Committee for Haryana, corridor for Dera Baba Nanak to Kartarpur Sahib (Pakistan), discrimination with Punjab in relation to industry packages etc., with the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a meeting.
1984 Sikh genocide
Badal sought a probe under the Commission of Inquiry Act into the violence against the Sikhs in Delhi during�1984. He urged that the “conspiracy” behind the pogrom be included in the terms of reference of the inquiry.
Transfer of Chandigarh and Punjabi speaking areas
He urged that Chandigarh and Punjabi-speaking areas be transferred to Punjab “in the spirit of the policy which guided the re-organisation of the state on linguistic basis in 1950”.
River Water dispute
On the river waters, he alleged that the state had been treated unfairly and denied its legitimate share of river waters as per the riparian law.
Corridor from Dera Baba Nanak to Kartarpur Sahib (Pakistan)
Badal also urged Modi to ask the Pakistan Government to allow a corridor from Dera Baba Nanak to Kartarpur Sahib (in Pakistan) to enable Sikh pilgrims to visit the shrine.
Separate Gurudwara committee for Haryana
The Chief Minister expressed resentment at the Haryana Government’s move to set up a separate Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, which he termed as “dangerous.” He urged that Parliament enact a legislation to ensure SGPC supremacy in areas that come under the jurisdiction of the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925.
�Sehajdharis� row
Regarding the voting rights of so-called Sehajdharis, Badal sought the Centre’s intervention for “corrective measures.” He said the NDA Government headed by Atal Behari Vajpayee had issued a notification denying voting rights to the �Sehajdharis� that was nullified by the court on the ground that such an amendment could not be brought about by a notification. But the court had upheld the right of the legislature to lay down the eligibility criteria for the voters.
Sops for industry and debt relief for farmers
He sought concessions to Punjab industry on a par with those granted to Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, a financial package for the holy city of Amrtisar on the lines of Varanasi (from where Modi has been elected to the Lok Sabha) and a special debt relief package for Punjab farmers.
It is notable that some old Akali leaders feel that the reason behind declining graph of SAD is ignoring its traditional panthik agenda which was its real strength. They feel that due to this very approach, SAD (B) is losing its base among Sikh community. These points have also been discussed in party�s core committee meetings held after the elections. Taking up such issues with PM by Badal can be seen in light of such introspection.
eh badal sub to vadda pakhandi hein …..es to bacho …….
Well, he is the person who has ruined Punjab from social and religious ethics and now feeling that his son will not succeed to take over seat, he is doing all this drama. He was a part of Nda earlier in Bajpayee’s time. Was he sleeping? Drugs, are in flowing Punjab== is it with out any patronage== a simple labor working with a contractor could be crorepati during his tenure as a CM== he does not how? He is the biggest culprit installed by Fateh Singh( so called sant ) who ruined Punjab just like ” AMAR BEL”‘. Now he is scared to loose his power to AAP and his dream to see his son as CM of Punjab being vanished. For how long Badals want their goonda raaj to continue and people of Punjab to keep on bearing their all kind of insults==police raj-sand mafia=drug mafia=sharab mafia==land grab mafia==it is all mafias in all departments. It is sickening to even think about them but if you do not share, how will every body know about their deeds.