Punjab attacks Haryana, appeals to Centre

New Delhi, July 25: As its face- off with Haryana intensifies over the separate SGPC issue, the Punjab government on Friday appealed to the Centre against the former’s move in this regard, which it described as an “attack” on the country’s integrity.

Upping the ante ahead of the congregation of Sikhs which is to be held in Amritsar on Sunday to discuss the issue, Punjab deputy chief minister and Shiromani Akali Dal ( SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Friday met Union home minister Rajnath Singh and defence minister Arun Jaitley here.

“The government of Haryana has taken a decision which will basically harm national integration... It is an attack on India’s unity,” Mr Sukhbir Badal told reporters here after taking up the issue with Rajnath and Jaitley.

“They ( Haryana) have challenged the authority of the Government of India, they have violated every article, every word of the Constitution... They have done something which is unimaginable in the history of this country,” he added.

Sunday’s meet in Amritsar was called after the Haryana government refused to heed the Centre’s missive to revoke the law passed for the creation of a separate SGPC for the state, which Punjab has termed “unconstitutional” and “illegal”. SAD sources said the meet may be led by its patron and Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, who may even quit his post over the issue if required. Haryana has brushed aside the Centre’s directive calling for the annulment of the Act, saying it has every right to enact a law and the Haryana Gurdwara Act has been passed under its legislative powers.

It has instead asked the Centre to withdraw its letter. There is talk that the Centre may resort to a Presidential Reference to annul the Haryana legislation. The Union law ministry has told home ministry that it has the executive powers under Article 256 to give directions to a state in such cases.

At Mohali in Punjab, chief minister Parkash Badal said that the Centre has promised an early resolution to the issue. SAD sources have questioned the timing of the Congress- led Haryana government move, wondering why such a step was not taken when the party was in power.