Maghi Mela: No Cong, AAP political rallies, SAD show on

GURDASPUR/MUKTSAR: A day after Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal asked party workers to gear up for the Maghi Mela rally in Muktsar on January 14, the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday declared they would not hold political conferences during the fair.

The Maghi Mela is one of Punjab’s major fairs and has religious significance for the Sikhs.

It marks the battle of Muktsar in 1705, where 40 Sikh warriors laid down their lives for Guru Gobind Singh while fighting the Mughals. But over the years, it has also become a platform for political rallies.

Addressing a press confer- ence at the residence of Gurdaspur MLA Barindermeet Singh Pahra, state Congress president and Gurdaspur MP Sunil Jakhar said the party would refrain from using religious events for political rallies.

Talking to HT over phone, AAP state co-president Aman Arora said: “The party will not hold any political rally. We don’t want the fair, which is held in the memory of Sikh martyrs, to turn into a political battlefield.”

However, SAD spokesperson and former minister Daljit Singh Cheema said the party would keep its tradition alive and will hold a political conference during the fair. Sukhbir had already directed the party workers to mobilise a huge crowd for the rally on January 14.

Recently, all political parties abstained from holding rallies during the Shaheedi Jor Mela in Sirhind on December 26 following the Akal Takht order.

Takht jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh had appealed to political parties not to use religious events for political rallies.

In a communiqué, the Akal Takht jathedar had said: “Followers of Guru Nanak Dev Ji observe the martyrdom of Sahibzadas in shock and the occasion is very sacred. However, normally it is seen that the political parties use this day to propagate their political agenda and politicise the religious atmosphere. So, all political outfits are strictly directed not to indulge in such political activity. Instead, efforts should be made to preach Sikh history and life events of Gurus on the occasion,” he added.

Congress respects all religions as it is a secular party. We will refrain from using religious events such as Maghi Mela for political purposes. SUNIL JAKHAR, , state Congress chief and Gurdaspur MP Akali Dal will keep its tradition alive and will hold a political conference. Sukhbir has directed party workers to mobilise huge crowds. DALJIT SINGH CHEEMA, SAD spokesperson The party will not hold any political rally. We don’t want the fair, which is held in the memory of Sikh martyrs, to turn into a political battlefield. AMAN ARORA, AAP state co-president