Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
Sarabha (Ludhiana), November 16: Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today cautioned the people of the state against conspiracies to disturb the hard earned peace, communal harmony, brotherhood and amity in Punjab Mr. Badal also warned against attempts to push Punjab back towards dark days of violence and bloodshed. He said peace earned through unparalleled sacrifices must be preserved and sought people’s cooperation to resolve all issues through consensus and cooperation.
Addressing a mammoth gathering on the 100th martyrdom anniversary of Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha here at his native village during a state level function, Mr. Badal said that some elements inimical to peace and prosperity were trying to fish in troubled water to pursue their personal agenda of opportunism.
Mr. Badal asked the people to be vigilant against false propaganda unleashed by these anti-Punjab elements aimed pushing Punjab back into black days of nearly one-and-a-half decade adding he said which had pushed Punjab down on scale of progress and development. The SAD-BJP alliance has put Punjab back on the path of development and prosperity in the right earnest.
The Chief Minister said that peace and communal harmony were his sacred mission and his greatest achievement he said he would not mind going to any length to ensure peace and communal harmony in Punjab. “We have always played fair and allowed every democratic and peaceful protest including and the November 10 function without any hindrance”.
Our conscience is clean. Still if an apology from me for anything inadvertently done or not done can ensure continuance of peace and communal harmony in the state then I will not stand on false prestige and will not hesitate in offering an apology. My prestige is too small an issue before peace and communal harmony which is my top priority.” said Mr. Badal striking an emotional chord.
The Chief Minister recalled that Sikhs had a proud patriotic legacy handed down to them by great Gurus which must be preserved at all costs, adding he said that no one should be allowed to distort it. Thus peace and communal harmony was his top priority. He further said that Punjabis and Sikhs image as sword arm of country must not be tarnished. He emphasized the need to defeat conspiracies to paint Punjabis and Sikhs as terrorists and anti-national people. Mr. Badal also highlighted the enormous role of Sikhs in the Defense Services of
Mr. Badal said the way some rejected elements misled public opinion had undermined the significance of Supreme Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Sikh’s Mini Parliament Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) spoke volumes of their arrogance and desperation to meet their narrow vested interests. Making an oblique reference to some political parties who actively participated in the gathering at Chaba, Mr. Badal raised certain doubts over their credentials of being secular.
Reiterating his firm commitment that SAD-BJP alliance government would make all out efforts to maintain law & order in the state, Chief Minister said that he had no doubts in his mind that the wise people of state would never allow these anti-Punjab forces to succeed in their dubious plans to destroy the social fabric.
Paying glorious tribute to Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha on this historic day, Mr. Badal said that the real homage to this great martyr would be to take a pledge on this solemn day to further strengthen the bonds of unity, integrity and brotherhood in our country. The Chief Minister also declared November 16 as a Gazetted holiday every year in observance of the martyrdom day of Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha.
Acceding to the request of local MLA Mr. Manpreet Singh Ayali, the Chief Minister announced of a development grants of Rs. two crore of which one crore would be spent on the various development works of village.
On the issue of farmers, the Chief Minister said that Punjab Government was ever sensitive to the concerns and issues of peasantry and had always been in forefront to bail them out from any sort of crisis. He said the present cotton crisis was not only restricted to Punjab but the whitefly attack had almost vanished the cotton crop in the neighboring states like Rajasthan and Haryana. He said the state government had already paid compensation worth Rs. 640 Cr. to the cotton growers in lieu of their damaged crops.
The Chief Minister told the media persons that he would soon address several Sadbhawna Rallies across the state starting from Bathinda on November 23followed by Sangat Darshan programs.
Prominent amongst others who addressed on the occasion included Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Mr. Charanjit Singh Atwal, Cabinet Minister Mr. Sharanjeet Singh Dhillon, MLA Mr. Manpreet Singh Ayali and President SAD Rural Ludhiana and Chairman PSSSB Mr. Santa Singh Umedpuri besides Mr. Darshan Singh Shivalik, Mr. Ranjit Singh Dhillon and Mr. SR Kler (All MLAs). Apart from these several senior leader and workers of SAD-BJP also participated in the function
