As Protest Day
CANDIGARH, India: The Dissident Akali Dal led by Mr., Parkash Singh Badal gave a call to Sikhs in Punjab to observe Aug. 15 as protest day against various acts of omission and commission by the Centre and the Barnala government. A statement released by the Akali leader at the end of two days meeting of Party Working Committee appealed to the Sikhs to observe a day tong fast, suspend trading and other activities and assemble in Gurdwaras to recite champaks on that day. And also offer prayers for the release of Sikh détentes and recall the sacrifices of those who died during the Dharam Yudh Morcha. The Akali MLAs and MPs and members of the Working Committee and presidents of district jathas would stage a day long dharma in front of Punjab Raj Bhawan on the Independence Day. While giving call to observe protest day on Aug. 15. Mr. Parkash Singh said that Punjab problem is a national problem and it was to draw the attention of the whole nation that this day was chosen for lodging the protest. The Akali leader stated that he along with Mr. Gurcharan Singh Tohra will visit Delhi on Aug. 7 to study the situation in Delhi, He will also avail the opportunity to meet the opposition leaders and discuss the Punjab problem and review it as to how it could be resolved.
He also said that a seven member committee has been constituted to enquire into the recent Delhi riots. The Akali leader was appreciative of the stand taken by Surjit Singh Barnala and some of his ministerial colleagues against the Central move to invoke Article 249 of the Constitution to declare security belt along the Indo Pak Border as a protected area. He expressed the hope that Barnala would stand by his views because his past record shows that after initial opposition he gives in quietly never issue. The Centers move he said ran counter to the stand of Akali Dal for the grant of more political and financial powers to the State.
He reiterated the view that the Punjab tangle needed a political solution rather than the use of state force. Recognition of this would bring peace. A general amnesty should be ordered for all Sikh prisoners and blanket permission be granted to all those who deserted their home country in the face of oppression by the government. Rajiv-Longowal accord was the desired solution to the Punjab problem in the back drop of the numerous sacrifices and untold sufferings by the Sikhs during the Dharm Yudh Morcha. It could lead to peace and amity in the state if it was honestly implemented in letter and spirit, The betrayal by the Centre and the selfish policy of the Barnala government had left little room for the survival of the Accord, he said.
Article extracted from this publication >> August 8, 1986
