WASHINGTON DC, USA—Washington based Dr. Rajwant Singh, Chairman of the Sikh Council on Religion and Education and Dr. Inder Paul Singh Gadh, Chairman of the Guru Gobind Singh Foundation expressed their outrage at the arrests of political and religious leaders and also the beating and harassment of people in villages who were exercising their right to protest.
Dr. Rajwant Singh said, “We are shocked that Akali workers are beating common folks including women who are peacefully protesting against the presence of Akali leaders in villages. This shows that the Punjab administration is putting oil in the fire. This must stop immediately. Chief Minister Parkash Badal must ask Sukhbir Badal to curb the activities of Akali workers who are using violence in dealing with people. This is almost imposing discredited leaders on people without dealing with people’s resentments.”
Inder Paul Singh Gadh, said, “Sukhbir Badal’s statements are very provocative and shows political immaturity. It does not behoove any elected official of the state making provocative and challenging remarks publicly. This kind of one-upmanship only escalates the situation and is making the political situation in Punjab more volatile. Instead of showing restraint, keeping a contrite attitude in the face of wide spread sacrilegious acts against Guru Granth Sahib and showing his willingness for genuine dialogue to find solutions to major crisis facing the state, he is worsening the situation day by day with his amateurish pronouncements. How is he being oblivious to daily protests by common villagers against Akalis and public officials representing the Badal administration? This only reflects frustration and desperation on the part of administration.”
Inder Paul Singh Gadh added, “Arbitrary arrests must stop and people should be allowed to engage in free democratic rights as long as they are not posing any imminent threat to anyone. Arrests of organizers of Sarbat Khalsa and various representatives will only put Punjab in further imbroglio. Akali leadership may have differences with the proceedings or pronouncements at Sarbat Khalsa but this does give the state administration the right to arrest people and charge them indiscreetly.
He further added, “We are also concerned and condemn the arrest and continued detention of journalist Surinder Singh of Talking Punjab who is being charged with expired TADA. This is totally unacceptable and this makes Akali Dal look very poorly at the international scene. These kinds of draconian laws have been condemned by Akali leaders themselves during the 80s and 90s and how are they justifying using them now?
Dr. Rajwant Singh added, “We hope that Parkash Badal will take reigns of the Punjab Administration and will make amends in dealing with the political, social and economic crisis facing the state. Where is the political acumen of the leader who is hailed being elected 6th time as a leader of the state? Is this is political legacy that Mr. Badal wants to leave? People are all confused with the apologetic tone of the senior Badal and confrontational attitude of the junior Badal. If he has any remorse, then he must open dialogue with all leaders of the Bargari Group and Parcharaks and people who have been arrested to come up with amicable solution. Punjab police officials who opened fire on the peaceful protestors must be brought back to justice and all those young people who were arrested during the protests should be immediately released. In addition, crisis facing the SGPC vis-a-vis jathedars call for a dialogue with the intention to find solution to end the stalemate. Farmers who have suffered economic loss due to corrupt practices of politicians must be compensated immediately.”
Harinder, I think you misunderstand the concept of democracy. Elections are only one part of the system. The government has duties to all citizens and has no right to curb Fundamental rights including freedom of speech and association. The current Punjab government is acting unconstitutionally.
2017 Election will decide the will of people of Punjab.
If people are unhappy with the present day Rulers then they can express themselves.