LUDHIANA: The Akali Dal may not be able to contest the forth coming elections if it does not separate religion from politics and declare itself secular as stipulated by the new legislation enacted by Parliament.
This was indicated by the Union Home Minister Buta Singh while talking to newsmen here on May
According to the new law every party has to declare itself as a secular party. Those who fail to do so would lose the right to contest.
Without mentioning Akali Dal he said it was “compulsory” for all parties interested in contesting the elections that they should declare themselves secular.
Asked if he considered Akali Dal a secular party he replied, “How can I speak on their behalf.”
The Union Home Minister termed as absurd and baseless the often repeated charge that Congress (I) intended to play the Sikh card during the ensuring parliamentary elections. He said there was no question of taking political mileage out of this crisis.
Article extracted from this publication >> May 12, 1989
