Centre has assigned stage responsibility to SGPC: SAD
Amid the row over two parallel stages for the inaugural function of the Kartarpur corridor here, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders on Sunday claimed that the Centre has assigned the responsibility of setting up the stage to Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) “to maintain religious decorum.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to attend the November 9 event.
Notably, the Punjab government has already set up its stage and a pandal over 40 acres for the inaugural ceremony.
SAD leaders Daljit Singh Cheema, Bikram Singh Majithia, Virsa Singh Valtoha and Ravikaran Singh Kahlon visited the venue near Shikar Machhian village to review the arrangements of the pandal being set up by National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), which functions under the Union government.
“After inaugurating the passenger terminal for Kartarpur corridor, PM will address a gathering from this stage. After bhog of akhand path an ardas will be held on the occasion. Rising above all differences, everyone should gather here. The Centre assigned the responsibility of the stage to SGPC to ensure that it is conducted as per religious maryada,” Cheema told mediapersons.
Cabinet minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, who is MLA from Dera Baba Nanak, had on October 31 stated that the central agencies were in touch with him to hold the inaugural function on the stage set up by the state government, but they changed their decision at the last moment.
Citing that the foundation stone-laying ceremony was organised by the state government, Randhawa had also written a letter to Modi to intervene into the matter.
Reacting to Randhawa’s letter, Majithia said, “This is a programme of the central government because it is related with international boundaries. I don’t know why another stage is being set? The corridor can only be opened by the Centre, not the Punjab government.”
Meanwhile, Randhawa was not available for his comments despite HT’s repeated phone calls.
When asked to comment on chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh statement that anti-national elements could use the corridor, Majithia said, “I don’t agree with these views. This corridor is a result of prayers of crores of Sikhs. Secondly, Punjabis are very patriotic and they won’t allow anyone to misuse it.”