ANANDPUR SAHIB: The Chief Minister of Punjab, Mr. Harcharan Singh Brar, has declared that his government will not allow any antinational activity in the state and the “misconceived” plans of the enemies of the country would be curbed with a ‘stern hand.
Addressing a political conference organized by the Punjab, PCC here on the occasion of Hola Mohala, Mr. Brar said the biggest achievement of the Congress government was the revival of traditional ties of friendship and mutual trust between the two main communities in the state which had been affected during the decade long phase of militant violence.
He said sympathizers of “Khalistan” had been rejected within and outside the country and patriotic Punjabis, particularly Sikhs, had thwarted this “antinational movement, paving the way for harmonious and peaceful living. People had shown exemplary courage in dealing a crushing blow to such forces and displayed their spirit of nationalism and love for the motherland.
Turing to the Akalis, Mr. Brar said they appeared to have learnt their lesson ‘and had now started talking shout peace in the state) though in a roundabout manner, He noted that at the recent Moga conference, the Akalis had failed to give any economic or social program. Their sole purpose seemed to have been to exploit the sentiments of the people and criticize the progressive policies of the Congress. It would have been better if the Akalis had sought forgiveness from the people for their follies and misdeeds.
Mr. Brar attacked the Akali Dal chief, Mr, Parkash Singh Badal, and sought an open inquiry into the amassing of wealth by him. The cancellation of an 18acre plot costing about Rs 100 crore acquired by Mr. Badal’s son in Haryana was a glaring example of corruption and misuse of power, Mr. Badal had also been unable to face the Chhangani commission formed at the request of the then Akali Dal chief, Mr, Jagdev Singh Talwandi, to probe charges of corruption against Mr. Badal.
The Chief Minister criticized the SGPC chief, Mr. Gurcharan Singh Tohra, saying he had misguided the youth and turned them towards antinational and antisocial activities. This had brought a bad name to the Sikh Panth, He cautioned people against parties like the BJP and BSP which ‘were creating a wedge in society along communal and easiest lines.
The conference organized by the PCC was well attended. However, the conference was not without hiccups. The government had organized a cultural program to keep the large audience entertained. Among those who gave a performance was the well ‘known Punjabi singer, Gurdas Mann, ‘who soon became the star attraction, People became restive whenever he stopped singing and political leaders began their speeches.
Unlike the Payal conference, which was dominated by Congress dissidents, the show at Anandpur Sahib was dominated by ministerialists.
Certain enthusiastic groups of Congress workers, carrying banners halting the leadership of Mr. Brar, kept raising slogan such as “Harcharan Singh Brar. Zindabad.” Mr. Virender Kataria was the last to be invited to speak. He gave a brief speech, confining his remarks to the greatness of the Sikh Gurus and their message of universal love and brotherhood.
Mr. Buta Singh launched a seething attack on the Akalis, accusing them of playing a double game by first encouraging and then shedding crocodile tears for those who fell victim to, militancy.
The Akali leaders, he said, had handed over the holy shrine of Akal Takht to antinational elements and shifted their party office from Amritsar.
He ridiculed the Akali claims of Standing by the Anandpur Sahib resolution. There were so many versions of this resolution that the Akalis themselves did not know what it really meant. Each leader gave his own interpretation to suit his convenience. Referring to the recent Akali conference at Moga, Mr, and Buta Singh instead of raising the “hollow” slogan of Hindu Sikh unity, Mr. Badal should have visited the families of those RSS workers who were shot dead in cold blood by militants at Moga several years ago. The Akali leaders had not even mourned the death of even their own colleagues like Mr. Balwant Singh and Bhai Shaminder Singh; Mr. Buta Singh said the Akalis should declare that they would not give the party ticket to those who had been offering shelter to militants.
Mr. Santokh Singh Randhawa countered the Akali slogan of “Congress bhajao, Punjab bachao” with his own slogan of “Akali bhajao, aman Liao” and said the return of the Akali Dal to power in Punjab would pose a serious threat to peace and tranquility in the ‘state. Mr, Maninderjit Singh Bitta paid tributes to the late Beant Singh who, he said, had laid down his life for the sake of country’s unity and for maintaining peace in the state.
Article extracted from this publication >> March 13, 1996
