Randhawa seeks live telecast of House debate on report

CHANDIGARH: Punjab jails and cooperation minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa has requested chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh to allow live telecast of the debate on Justice Ranjit Singh commission report on sacrilege incidents and police firing at Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura that rocked the state in October 2015.

Speaking to HT, Randhawa said the Congress won the state elections promising to bring culprits of the Bargari sacrilege to justice. “People deserve to know the truth behind it. Those who had declared to rule Punjab for 25 years on the backing of dera (Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda) votes need to be exposed,” he said, while referring to statements made by Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Badal as the deputy CM.

Asked if the report does not go against the “no-vendetta” stance of the CM, Randhawa called it justice, not political vendetta. “The sentiments of the entire Sikh community were hurt. The empire of dera chief has already come down. Every minister and party worker wants the government to table the report and take action against the guilty.”

SESSION LIKELY IN SEPT FIRST WEEK

Punjab assembly speaker Rana KP Singh said the House session is likely to be called in the first week of September. “The cabinet has to decide the dates. We will take a call on the request for live telecast when we receive it from the government,” he said.

The panel is expected to submit its full report later this week.

The report has made some sensational disclosures about the role of the then government, top administrative as well as police officers and the dera while delving into the conspiracy behind the sacrilege incidents and police firing.

DEDICATE DAY TO DEBATE: CHEEMA

Meanwhile, Harpal Singh Cheema, leader of opposition, said that the Congress government should allow debate on five burning issues concerning the state, including sacrilege incidents and police firing on protesters in 2015.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader included drug menace, unemployment, water pollution and farm debt as other issues to be debated in the upcoming Vidhan Sabha session. He said a day each should be dedicated to these issues.