Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
CHANDIGARH, September 30: Congress Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha Capt Amarinder Singh today expressed grave concern over the unease and unrest among a section of the Sikh community and open defiance of a recent Akal Takhathukumnama (edict), saying this was unfortunate and unprecedented and did not bode well for the community and the state.
“With due deference and reverence for the supreme authority of Akal Takhat and its edicts, as a humble Sikh, my only concern is the erosion of its authority and credibility for which only the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal is to be blamed”, he said in a statement issued here today.
“Over the years a perception has been reinforced, and rightly so, that Mr Badal has been misusing the Akal Takhat for his own personal and vested interests and the consequences are before all of us that people have started openly defying the edicts which is sad and unfortunate”, he observed, while blaming Mr Badal for the erosion of the authority of the Akal Takhat.
“For the first time in the Sikh history there has been open defiance of the Akal Takhat hukumnama”, he pointed out, adding, this was quite unfortunate as common people have been made to believe that Akal Takhat was being misused by Badal and his family to safeguard his own personal and political interests.
Commenting on the recent edict, the former Chief Minister pointed out, it is so characteristic of Mr Badal to change his colours according to his political interests. “In 2007 Mr Badal got an edict issued as it suited his interests that time and now after eight years in a complete u-turn he has got another edict issued with obvious intentions”, he pointed out.
Appealing for peace and restraint, the former Chief Minister maintained that he understood and shared the concern of people over the erosion of the authority of Akal Takhat, which must not be allowed to happen at any cost. “Akal Takhat is the supreme institution whose sanctity and authority must be preserved and maintained at all costs”, he remarked.
At the same time, he observed, it is the duty and responsibility of the five Singh Sahibaan (five head priests) to realise that the community has not only vested supreme authority in them, but also reposed faith in their wisdom and judgement which they must use discreetly and ensure that justice is not only done but is also seen to be done. “And unfortunately today that faith and trust appears to have been compromised”, he regretted.
