‘FakhreQaum’ for Captain irks Akali leaders
Arhtiyas (commission agents) of Punjab honoured chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh with the title of Fakhre-Qaum (pride of community) last week, drawing a sharp reaction from the Shiromani Akali Dal. The opposition party asked Amarinder to get the title from farmers by waiving their complete debt, and not from the arhtiyas who have been fleecing them (farmers). In December 2011, Akal Takht had also bestowed the Fakhr-e-Qaum title on the then chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, triggering criticism from different political and Sikh religious organisations which questioned the sanctity of award. With the latest title, the state now has two recipients, on both sides of political divide.