NEW DELHI:“I will drink hem lock if the Akal Takht were not to clear me for my alleged role in the anti-Sikh Nov. 1984 riots,” former Union Minister H.K.L.Bhagatsaid on Oct.17,
The Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee chief said he would go to the Akal Takht “at an appropriate time” to seek “justice” from the highest Sikh religious seat.
He said he would abide by the verdict of the Akal Takht, whatever it may be.
“T am dying to visit the Golden Temple,” Bhagat said and added that he had been to the Golden Temple six times in his life.
He said that sometime back when he visited Bhatinda (Punjab), he requested a Sikh army officer to take him to the Golden Temple in the guise of a turbaned Sikh. “But the army officer declined, saying it was fraught with dangers.”
Bhagat opposed the demand raised by certain political parties for full-fledged statehood to Delhi,
“This would be the worst scenario if it were to take place. The present political setup is more beneficial.
Elaborating, he said the people of Delhi would be “crushed” under taxes if Delhi were to have full-fledged statehood. Besides, it would pose administrative, constitutional, political and practical problems.
Asked to spell out his priorities, Bhagat said if his party were to form the government, he would accord top priorities the law and order situation, the power situation and for ensuring smooth transport.
He said the people of Delhi could not afford any further delay in introduction of the Mass Rapid Transport system.
“Underground railway is a must even though it will cost more than Rs 10,000 crore at today’s prices. We will have to afford it because Delhi’s the drawing room of India.”
Article extracted from this publication >> October 22, 1993
