Chandigarh, May 30: Taking note of the reported “objections” by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to his alleged interference in religious affairs, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh said on Tuesday that maintenance of law and order in the state was his foremost responsibility, something that he was committed to fulfilling.
In a letter to SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal, Capt Amarinder said threatening one another was not acceptable in a civilised society and he did not approve of such action, either as the Chief Minister or as an individual. Citing a newspaper statement regarding the apprehension expressed by him on the differences between the Damdami Taksal and preacher Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale, the Chief Minister wrote to Longowal that if there was any difference of opinion among various Sikh sects, “then it is your duty as the SGPC chief to either resolve the issue or seek Akal Takht Jathedar’s intervention”.
Capt Amarinder’s letter came in response to media reports quoting Longowal as saying that the Chief Minister should “refrain from creating friction between religious preachers, Sant Samaj and Sikh organisations”. Longowal’s statement was reportedly a reaction to the Chief Minister’s warning to Damdami Taksal following a death threat, on a video, by its spokesperson against Dhadrianwale.
Meanwhile, Cooperation Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa also criticised Longowal saying he should only concentrate on working for the welfare of the Sikh community. “The SGPC president is a mere tool in the hands of the Badals. He has no right to issue directions to the Chief Minister,” said Randhawa. The minister also challenged the SGPC chief to tell the community whether or not he visited the Dera Sacha Sauda in Sirsa to seek votes for the Akalis.
“If Longowal’s heart really beats for the ‘panth’, he should protest outside the residence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to get the GST on langar waived. Why has the SGPC never targeted Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal on the issue,” questioned Randhawa.
Sourced from The Tribune
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