Badal and SAD need to spell out their stand on BJP’s aggression : Khaira

Chandigarh, Mr. Badal and the SAD need to spell out their stand on BJP’s aggression, to infringe upon the rights of the minorities in the country says Ex congress Mla Sukhpal Singh Khaira.

In a press statement Mr. Sukhapal Khaira said that After having captured the levers of power, BJP has now set out to implement its original communal and anti minorities agenda in the country.

The beginning to implement this agenda has been made from Jammu and Kashmir going to polls shortly. The BJP has decided to include abrogation of Article 370 of the constitution, that grants special autonomous status to Jammu and Kashmir, in its election manifesto. Needless to mention, Jammu and Kashmir at the time of its accession to India, was granted special provisions under Article 370 of the constitution. As per these provisions, there are separate set of laws as compared to other states, including those related to citizenship, ownership of property and fundamental rights. The provision also stipulates that citizens from other states cannot buy land or property in Jammu and Kashmir.he added

Similarly, the RSS Chief Mr. Mohan Bhagwat in a statement made at Cuttack on 17th August, 2014, has categorically termed india as a Hindu nation. He said “Hindustan is a Hindu nation……. Hindutva is the identity of our nation and it (Hinduism) can incorporate others (religions) in itself”.

The said statement of the RSS Chief, the guiding force of the BJP is in direct contrast to the Shiromani Akali Dal’s stand seeking amendment to Article 25 (2) (b) of the constitution, according to which Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists are considered part of the Hindu religion. he added

Opposing Article 25(2)(b) of the constitution, Mr. Badal and other senior leaders of SAD had burnt its copy in front of the Parliament of india on 26 January, 1984, demanding amendment in the constitution to declare Sikhs a separate religion.

Therefore, now that the BJP has set the ball rolling to blatantly infringe upon the rights of the minorities including the Sikhs, Mr. Badal and the Shiromani Akali Dal must make their position abundantly clear on the burning issues. Mr. Badal must clarify whether he and his party support the BJP to repeal Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir? Similarly, he must come out with a categorical and clear commitment, whether he agrees with the RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat’s statement that india is primarily a Hindu nation? he added

Although, there are many other conflicting issues between the SAD and the BJP, like the implementation of Uniform Civil Code, the SYL river waters dispute, transfer of Chandigarh etc., but the above mentioned two burning issues directly affect the existence of minorities like the Sikhs. It is in this context that Mr. Badal and the SAD must clear the mist over these issues, since they claim to be the sole champions of the Sikh community and often whip up their sentiments for cheap electoral gain. he added