Radicals remind Badal of his role in Dharam Yudh Morcha
Reminding former Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, patron of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), of his participation in ‘Dharam Yudh Morcha’, radical Akali faction United Akali Dal (UAD) alleged that Badal had forgotten the demands he raised during the morcha.
UAD workers on Friday carried out ‘Chetawani March’ (warning procession) to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Morcha that the SAD had started on August 4, 1982. The UAD workers carrying banners marched on the ‘Heritage Street’ from the Golden Temple to the Kotwali police station.
“Parkash Singh Badal was first Akali leader to offer arrest on first day of the morcha and he also led the first jatha which offered arrest to press their demands. However, the morcha has faded away from his memories and demands are still pending,” said Mohkam Singh, UAD president, while addressing party workers.
“The morcha ended without yielding any result in 1984 with the army attacking the Sri Darbar Sahib and the Akal Takht Sahib. Morcha’s agenda was Anandpur Sahib resolution and the demands were related to Punjab, its water resources and capital Chandigarh. But the centre did not meet any of the demands. Now, these demands are not even on the agenda of the Badal-led SAD now.” he claimed.
Satnam Singh Manawa, another UAD leaders said, “Although those who initiated the morcha, have forgotten the demands as they remained in power for long, UAD would keep these demands alive.”
“We concluded the march at Kotwali Police station as first Sikh jatha led by Parkash Singh Badal offered arrest at this police station,” said Gurdeep Singh Bathinda, general secretary. The march passed of peacefully with the police making adequate arrangements.