Unions can’t disown people who came for tractor march: SGPC

Now, when some of these people have been booked for untoward incidents, these leaders must help pursue these cases and not run away their responsibility. BIBI JAGIR KAUR, SGPC chief

AMRITSAR: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Bibi Jagir Kaur on Saturday said farm union leaders, who gave a call to people to reach Delhi for the Republic Day tractor parade on January 26, cannot disown responsibility of the conduct of such persons in the parade.

Reacting on farm leaders’ statement terming protesters who hoisted the Nishan Sahib at the Red Fort and clashed with cops as anti-social elements, the apex gurdwara body chief said, “Farm leaders who are spearheading the agitation had called lakhs of people by an appeal. People responded with full enthusiasm. Now, when some of these people have been booked for untoward incidents, these leaders must help pursue these cases and not run away their responsibility.”

“They did not even spare the youth killed in the tractor parade. They said they did not have any relation with the deceased. Disassociating from these people by farm leaders is unfair,” said Kaur, during an interaction with the media.

The SGPC chief added, “The leaders should not give such statements that divide us. They should give statements reflecting high spirit.”

On actor Deep Sidhu and the hoisting of the Nishan Sahib flag on the Red Fort, she said, “I was not there, so I do not know what exactly happened. First, leaders get these persons to address farmers from the state; those levelling such charges must answer.”

“The agitation is being deliberately given a communal colour while the government remains mum,” she said .

“It is not at all justified to question the flag of Sikhism. The flag is a symbol of peace, communion, human brotherhood, human compassion and the spirit of service. Why is a controversy being created out of this?” she said, adding, “Sadly, the issue of hoisting the Nishan Sahib on the Red Fort is being raised instead of the farmers’ protest.”