Govt has challenged Akal Takht supremacy: Harsimrat

Union minister for food processing industries Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Saturday accused the Punjab government and chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh of challenging the supremacy of Akal Takht by deciding to hold a parallel function to celebrate the 550th Parkash Purb of Guru Nanak at Sultanpur Lodhi.

“Rather, the state government should have provided infrastructure for the celebrations being held (by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC),” Harsimrat said while campaigning in favour of SAD-BJP candidate Manpreet Singh Aayali in Dakha constituency.

“For a devout Sikh, a directive from Sri Akal Takht Sahib is a supreme order but it is extremely unfortunate that the Congress government has decided to hold a parallel function despite an advisory from Akal Takht jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh and attempts by the SGPC to hold joint celebrations,” she added.

“A joint coordination committee was also made for the purpose but Congress representatives did not let efforts for joint celebrations succeed. This will certainly create confusion among the Sikhs and be considered as an act aimed at weakening the community,” she added.

Harsimrat asked the Congress leadership whether it had credentials to hold such a pious event. “They belong to the same party which attacked Sri Akal Takht Sahib.”

She alleged that Amarinder, who is very enthusiastic about holding a parallel function, was guilty of “committing sacrilege by taking a false pledge” to end the drug menace with holy Gutka Sahib in his hands ahead of the 2017 assembly polls.

Urging Amarinder to relent and follow the state traditionof the CM and government functionaries always attending the religious events organised by the SGPC on such occasions, Harsimrat said, “Let us celebrate the Parkash Purb together without any ego clash.”

Speaking about the poll prospects of the SAD-BJP in the byelections, Badal said the alliance will win all four seats as there is a deep resentment among the people against the Congress for not fulfilling its prepoll promises

Cong representatives did not let efforts for joint celebrations succeed. This will certainly create confusion among the Sikhs and be considered as an act aimed at weakening the community. HARSIMRAT KAUR BADAL, Union minister and SAD leader