CHANDIGARH: The Akali Dal, led by Parkash Singh Badal, last week committed itself to end the repressive Congress rule in Punjab and restore the dignity and honor of the Punjabis, ‘The party working committee at its meeting here decided to launch “Punjab Bachao Congress Bhagao” (Save Punjab Remove Congress) campaign for this purpose from Aufust20, coinciding with the 10th death anniversary of Sant Harchand Singh Longowal.
Addressing a news conference after the meeting, Badal disclosed that the * former prime ministers, V.P, Singh * and Chandra Shekhar, the Bichar Chief Minister, Laloo Prasad Yadav, ‘and the Bharatiya Janata Party senior Teader, A:B, Vajpayee, had given their Consent to attend the August 20 conference at Longowal in Sangrur district. He said that 13 district conferences would be organized all over the stale ending on October 15, besides six workers meetings, as a part of this campaign.
The main issues to be taken up during this campaign include restoration of democracy and rule of law, resolution of river water dispute and other irritants, restoration of human rights and press freedom and withdrawal of TADA and other repressive measures. The economic issues include end to unemployment, justice to the government employees, traders and dalits and reduction in power rates for tubewells and fertilizer prices.
The meeting decided to empower Badal to use the symbol of scales recognized by the Chief election Commission and authorized Surjit Singh Barnala to pursue this case with the CEC.
The party took strong view of the Chief Minister, Beant Singh, being equated with Guru Nanak, Guru Gobind Singh, Lord Rama and Krishna.
On the river waters issue, Badal said at every stage, the Akali Dal had opposed the apportionment of river waters which was against the riparian Principle.
He made it clear that his party, whether in power or not, would oppose the construction of the Satluj Yamuna Link canal.
Replying to a question about the reports appearing in a section of the press alleging links of two ministers in the Beant Singh Government with the militants, Badal said his party had all along maintained this position.
Through a resolution, the party reiterated the demand for a Supreme Court inquiry into militancy and those responsible for it.
However, letter circulated at a meeting of its human rights wing sounded a discordant note on the issue and said it did not concur with the personal views Of some Akali leaders that the Congress was responsible for militancy. ‘The human rights leaders said the militant movement Was rooted in the repressive policies adopted by the government while dealing with the movement for the rights of the Sikhs, Such irresponsible statements would only sharpen the confrontation in Sikh politics in the days 10 come.
The letter said while on one hand the militant movement was the producer of repression and political injustice, it had historical, social and political aspects also which could not be ignored, The human rights leaders said the Akalis had no rights to belittle the “great sacrifices” by describing the militant movement as a product of the Congress.
Article extracted from this publication >> August 25, 1995
