Sukhbir Badal condemns summoning of Khalsa Aid by NIA
Ferozepur, January 17 - Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal today said it was condemnable that the central government did not find anything wrong with Khalsa Aid when it provided humanitarian aid in Gujarat but had unleashed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on the NGO for stepping in to help farmers agitating peacefully on the borders of Delhi. Sukhbir Badal was here in Ferozepur today ahead of MC elections announced to be held in next month.
The SAD President was talking to newsmen after Ferozepur District Vice President Balwinder Singh Pappu Kotwal along with hundreds of supporters joined the SAD. He visited various wards during the course of which he received a massive response from the people. He also visited the residence of former Punjab Cabinet minister and five-time legislator from Ferozepur Pandit Bal Mukand Sharma who passed away recently.
Sukhbir Badal said how was it possible that an organisation which was acclaimed by the country earlier had suddenly turned bad simply because it had chosen to help farmers? He said summoning people associated with Khalsa Aid by NIA was a clear sign of frustration. “The centre thinks it can weaken the farm protest by such intimidatory measures. Little does it know that the Kisan Andolan is only getting stronger due to these repressive steps”.
Prominent among those present on the occasion included Janmeja Singh Sekhon, Joginder Singh Jindu, Avtar Singh Zira Vardev Singh Mann and Montu Vohra.