LGPC criticises Shiromani Akali Dal

LUCKNOW : Office-bearers of the Lucknow Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (LGPC) on Tuesday criticised the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) for raising the issue of 1984 riots.

They said that the SAD delegation led by former MP, PS Chandumajra should have visited the Sadar Gurudwara first, but the team went to the chief minister’s residence to discuss the riots issue. LGPC office-bearers kept waiting for them at the gurudwara. “The SAD has gone out of power in Punjab and now they

LGPC SAID THE SAD DELEGATION SHOULD HAVE VISITED SADAR GURUDWARA FIRST, BUT THEY WENT TO CM’S RESIDENCE TO DISCUSS THE 1984 RIOTS ISSUE

are raising the issue of 1984 riots. What were they doing when they were in power in Punjab for the last 10 years and at the centre for four years. Whey they never raised the issue during this period,” asked Rajendra Singh Bagga, president, LGPC.

“As the SAD delegation came to Lucknow, they should have taken feedback on issues related to Sikhs of Lucknow from the local gurudwara prabandhak committee. But they went directly to the CM ‘s house without even knowing the local cases,” said Bagga.

Harpal Singh Jaggi, general secretary, LGPC said SAD was not concerned about Sikh issues and just wanted to grab power by playing with the sentiments of the community by raising the issue of 1984 riots. The LGPC meeting was attended by more than 60 representatives of city gurudwaras. They passed a resolution condemning the attitude of SAD.

However, another group of Sikhs in Lucknow flayed the LGPC for issuing the statement.

Nirmal Singh, working president of Alambagh Gurudwara, said: “In the morning, all the office-bearers of the LGPC were welcoming the SAD delegation. But in the evening when the SAD delegation was not able to visit them due to busy schedule, they started criticising them. This is hypocrisy. It’s visible that some people don’t want Sikhs to get justice for 1984 riot victims.”

Singh said the CM met the delegation and promised quick action in 1984 riot cases.