Says Punjab cannot afford to let go of a visionary who has been associated with the memorial since its inception
Asks CM to intervene and appoint Dr Hamdard as lifetime Chairman of the Foundation
Chandigarh, June 24, 2020: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal today urged Jang-e-Azadi Foundation Chairman Dr Barjinder Singh Hamdard to reconsider his resignation, saying his hard work and dedication was responsible for putting the Jang-e Azadi memorial on the world map and his leadership was necessary to complete the memorial as envisaged.
Expressing shock that Dr Barjinder Singh Hamdard was forced to tender his resignation due to the uncooperative attitude of the Congress government as well as lack of proper funding, the SAD President said “Punjab cannot afford to let go of a visionary who has been associated with the project since its inception under any circumstances. I urge chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh not to accept Dr Hamdard’s resignation and persuade him to take it back. The government should also recognize the role of the Memorial in recording the contributions and sacrifices of the Punjab community in the Indian independence movement and give Dr Hamdard a free hand in completing it in all aspects. All financial constraints being faced by the Jang-e-Azadi Foundation should be removed forthwith”.
Mr Sukhbir Badal said the Memorial was testimony to the faith of former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal in Dr Hamdard and the latter’s exemplary and selfless sacrifice which resulted in the creation of a world class monument as admitted by chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh also. He said Sardar Badal had provided the major chunk of Rs 327 crore for creation of the memorial which included galleries depicting the various movements in the freedom struggle besides the unique Shaheed –e-Minar. He said a lot more needed to be done including an auditorium, library and research and seminar halls. “Our focus should be on completing these works as quickly as possible”.
Making a personal appeal to Dr Hamdard to take back his resignation, Mr Badal said “Punjabis will be eternally grateful to you for conceptualizing and making the memorial a reality. It is a most cherished gift for future generations. It is very important that you remain at the helm of affairs and continue to steer the Foundation successively as you have done till now. In fact you are needed permanently as Chairman of the Foundation”. Keeping this in view, the SAD President urged chief minister Capt Amarinder to take a decision in the larger interest of the State and appoint Dr Barjinder Singh Hamdard as lifetime Chairman of the Jang-e-Azadi Foundation.