Chandigarh : A day after Punjab deputy CM Sukhbir Badal accused Congress of playing a “big role” behind ‘Sarbat Khalsa’, the ruling SAD on Saturday asked Rahul Gandhi to take action against its party members for “masterminding and giving directions” in organising the congregation.
During a press conference, the SAD leaders also played conversation transcripts purportedly of certain Congress leaders allegedly in conversation with a senior leader of Sikh hardline group United Akali Dal, and assuring him to mobilize crowd for the congregation.
Punjab Education minister and senior SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema said that “Congress party’s senior leaders participated and masterminded holding of the Sarbat Khalsa on November 10. They gave directions in the congregation for passing the resolutions and bringing people.”
“We demand from Rahul Gandhi what action he will take against his party leaders who are hell bent upon disturbing peace and communal harmony in the state,” he said while addressing a press conference here on Saturday.
However, Congress Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha Amarinder Singh on Saturday rejected the SAD’s allegations of Congress’ hand in organising the ‘Sarbat Khalsa’ (congregation of Sikhs) at Chabba. Strongly hitting out at the Congress, Cheema said that the party High Command must explain to the country why it is maintaining a “conspiratorial silence” over its brazen participation in the Chabba function in broad daylight.
When asked from where this transcript was sourced, Cheema said this purported transcript was available on social media, and denied that the phones had been tapped by the government. “This recording is available on social media,” he said, adding that the state government could get it verified, if the need arose. “Let them first deny that this is not their voice,” the Akali leader said.
“Senior and elected representatives of the Congress party, holding responsible positions in the organisation, were not merely a party to the planning, organisation and conduct of the function at the November 10 function, but also brazenly attended the same and even delivered speeches endorsing the proceedings from the stage,” he alleged. Cheema also asked Congress to explain if it intends to “thank” Wadhawa Singh, the chief of militant outfit Babbar Khalsa International based in Pakistan, whose message of congratulations was read out at ‘Sarbat Khalsa’. “The SAD-BJP government has taken this incident very seriously. We will not be vindictive, but will take action whosoever is involved in disturbing peace and communal harmony in the state,” he said.
However, Cheema said if there is any lapse in terms of intelligence failure, the state government would look into it. The SAD leader also hit out at Punjab Pradesh Congress president Partap Singh Bajwa for trying to absolve party leaders. “You should not try to shield your partymen,” he said. Yesterday, Bajwa had challenged Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal to prove the involvement of the Congress in the November 10 ‘Sarbat Khalsa’ or quit politics.
