Manifesto Row: Sukhpal Khaira Accuses Akali Dal Of Adopting Double Standards

:dateline:Addressing a press conference in Chandigarh on July 9, the newly inducted AAP leader, Sukhpal Khaira, lashed out at Badal and company for rejecting the apology tendered by Naresh Yadav, AAP�s dialogue incharge (Delhi), for blaspheming Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Khaira said that Badal and his accomplices do not have any right to reject an apology tendered to the Sikh devotees for inadvertently and unintentionally hurting their sentiments.

Accusing the AAP leaders of adopting double standards, Sukhpal Khaira said that when the Revenue Minister of Punjab, Bikram Majithia, changed the Gurbani verse from ????? ??? ???? ??? ???? || to ????? ??? ????? ?? ?? ??? ???? || during Parliament elections of 2014, he was immediately pardoned by Sri Akal Takhat Sahib authorities. He added that Bikram Majithia changed the Gurbani verse intentionally to praise the BJP leader Arun Jaitley, so his sin was unpardonable.

He further added that the Akali Dal also used a photo of Gurdwara Bangla Sahib in its election manifesto during DSGMC elections.

Arvind Kejriwal released a Youth Manifesto on July 3 in Amritsar explaining AAP’s policies to end problems of the public in Punjab. However, the title of the manifesto contained AAP’s logo published parallel to Sri Harmandir Sahib. Further, AAP’s Dialogue Incharge (Delhi), Ashish Khetan, compared the Youth Manifesto with the Holy Scripture of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji which caused an eruption of protests in Punjab.�

On the other hand, reacting to the announcement made by AAP�s National convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of visiting Sri Harmandir Sahib on July 18 seeking pardon for blasphemy, Captain Amarinder Singh has said that not Kejriwal instead former Journalist Kanwar Sandhu needs to apologise for the blasphemy. He added that it was Journalist Kanwar Sandhu who had drafted the Youth Manifesto of AAP superimposing broom on photo of Sri Darbar Sahib.

Alleging of deliberate policy behind committing blasphemy, Captain Amarinder Singh said that Kanwar Sandhu should appear before the Sri Akal Takhat Sahib authorities seeking pardon.

AISSF President Karnail Singh Peer Mohammad has already lodged a complaint against Aam Aadmi Party under blasphemy charges while the SGPC has announced to move into Court against AAP.