Hindustan Times (Chandigarh)

SAD chief’s dharna similar to blasphemy by dera chief: Jakhar

- HT Correspond­ent

CHANDIGARH : Punjab Congress president Sunil Jakhar on Friday likened the mock dharna staged by Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal in Patiala to the alleged blasphemou­s act committed by Dera Sacha Sauda head in 2007.

In a press statement, Jakhar said that those staging the dharna were the same people whose government’s posters were put up in broad daylight after committing murderous assault on Guru Granth Sahib. These are the same people who when in government had even taken back the case filed against the dera head,” he claimed.

“Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Badal must clarify whether he was deputy chief minister or not when these tragic and heart-rending incidents were happening in Punjab.

It was during their government that the dera chief crushed the religious sentiments of Sikhs at Salabatpur­a,” he said.

“When holy scriptures were stolen from Burj Jawahar Singh Wala in 2015, the so-called ‘panthic’ government of Shiromani Akali Dal instead of arresting the culprits opened fired at innocent protesters,” he added.

JALANDHAR : Phumann Singh, 40, and his brother Pala Singh, of Mundi Chohlian village, were killed after inhaling poisonous gases, after going down a well at their place of work, Kissan Mentha

Plant, the police have said.

Investigat­ion officer of the case Kulwindar Singh said the victims were pulled out by co-workers and were rushed to the Lohian Khas clinic, where doctors declared them as brought dead.

Another worker who also became unconsciou­s is under treatment. The IO added that the Lohian Khas Police has proceeded under Section 174 (police to inquire and report on suicide etc) of the CRPC based on the statements of the workers and factory owners and sent the bodies for post-mortem.

 ??  ?? Sunil Jakhar
Sunil Jakhar

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