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Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday launched a fresh attack on the state’s senior Sikh clerics saying that if they have interest in politics, they should include their names in the list of prominent activists of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) movement.
Specifically targeting Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak (SGPC) Chairman Harjinder Singh Dami, Mann said in an interview with a TV channel that the Supreme Gurdwara should worry about the management of Sikh shrines and not indulge in politics. He said that the chair of the SGPC should be a religious leader who makes religious decisions.
It was the second time that Mann had criticized Dhami for campaigning for SAD-BSP candidate Sukhwinder Kumar Sukhi in the Jalandhar Lok Sabha round on 10 May. However, Dhami hit back at Mann accusing him of playing politics over the issue of sacrilege and also asserted that campaigning for a party is a constitutional right for everyone.
Mann had earlier attacked Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, accusing him of furthering the interests of the Badals through the “family-controlled SGPC”.
On Saturday, he was refuting allegations of anti-Sikhism especially after the arrest of Waris Punjab leader De Amritpal Singh. I am not against Sikhs. What did those who call themselves the heirs of Punjab do? I follow the principles of Sikhism in everything I do. These people who are sheltering behind the Guru Granth Sahib, how can they be called pro-Sikhs? Mann asked.
He said that the Akal Takht Jathedar had formed a committee to storm the Ajnala Police Station by Amritpal and his followers as he took the Chief Waris Punjab de Guru Granth Sahib in the Palanquin to the site, allegedly using it as a shield against any police action.
Mann asked: “What happened to that committee? Is there any report? If there is, why isn’t it made public?”
Akal Takht Jadhar was the head of the Sikhs’ temporary highest seat, Mann said, “Why is he forming committees? He should just decree that the palanquin Guru Granth Sahib will not be moved to the site of the protests.”
In Amritpal, Mann said, the pro-Khalestan preacher was training youths in shooting and arming. “Weapons have been seized (in raids on members of Wars Punjab D). Body armor have been confiscated. Has the turmoil-torn Punjab of the Age of Terror not seen before? The people of Punjab do not want their children to become terrorists.”
Noting that more skeletons would fall apart in the coming days, Mann said, “There was money involved. There was foreign funding. Just wait and watch and you’ll see the details.”
Confronting Opposition Leader Partap Singh Bajwa, Mann said the Congress leader was “an expert in quid pro quo”. He said, “In Punjab there is only one house in Qadian, the ground floor has the Congress flag on it and the first floor has the BJP flag on it. The house has 12 stairs. If Bajwa climbs those 12 stairs, he will also become a part of the BJP.”
Mann was referring to Bajwa’s younger brother, Fateh Joong Singh Bajwa, who joined the BJP after resigning from Congress.
He claimed that prior to the 2022 Punjab Vidhan Sabha elections, Bajwa met him. “He came to me and said he will join the AAP if we announce him as a CM candidate. I asked him if I should go and contest the elections from Sriganganagar (in Rajasthan).”
The remarks drew a sharp reaction from Bajwa who said he was “born a Congressman and will die a Congressman”. Referring to Jalandhar Bay Ball, Bajwa said that the earth was slipping from under Mann’s feet. “I can see the defeat in his eyes. I want to ask Mann if you had a meeting with him why he didn’t talk about it 14 months ago… He’s a heavy drinker… These are baseless allegations. I completely deny them.”
Claiming that he was not someone who would change parties to become “Eknath Shinde of Punjab”, Bajwa said the person pointing fingers against him “was with SAD, then joined PPP, then joined AAP”.
“He has a quid pro quo with the BJP and will soon join the Saffron Party. He will become Eknath Shinde from Punjab. His political boss will sack him after he loses this election. Congress is close to a landslide victory in Jalandhar. This is why Mann is frustrated and making wild allegations.
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