Amritsar November 17,2020: Making a strong pitch for the need to ensure and safeguard “security, equality and dignity” of the minority communities, Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal today called for more concrete and credible steps to stop insecurity and alienation in the minds of the minorities.
The SAD president was addressing a massive gathering of Sikh masses at a religious function to commemorate the first Centenary of the formation of the “religious parliament of the Sikhs”, the SGPC at the Manji Sahib Hall in the Darbar Sahib Complex here today. “ Badal also asked the SGPC to initiate a five-year drive to fight the multi-pronged challenges like Patitpuna ( apostasy) , religious conversions through lure, drug menace facing the Sikh masses. He called for a “fresh lehar” to fight patit-puna ( apostasy) among Sikh youth.
Badal cautioned ‘ mischievous elements’ against attempts to undermine “the unique, separate and sovereign religious identity of the Sikhs. “ The Khalsa Panth takes deep pride in its unique separate religious identity. The Khalsa never interferes in the religious affairs of others but nor does it tolerate interference in its own religious affairs.” Badal said that the Guru Sahiban gave us a great ideology of “ Nam Japo, Kirat Kro, Vand ke Chhako” (Belief in the divine, Honest labour and value of sharing in charity.”
He came down heavily against the Congress party describing it as “ the worst enemy of the Sikhs.” Since the founding of the Khalsa more than 320 years ago, the Sikhs have faced three enemies, the Mughals, the British and the Congress. Of these, only Ahmad Shah Abdali and Indira Gandhi were responsible for demolition of Sri Akal Takhat Sahib. Now, some people want to gain control of our shrines with the same Congress sponsorship. “
Describing the SGPC as “ a unique achievement and a mini-religious parliament of the Sikhs, Mr Badal said that the Sikhs are the only religion in the world which runs its religious affairs democratically. “The SGPC is based on the supremacy of the Sangat, a unique principle handed down to us by the Great Guru Sahiban. “ Badal said that it was a matter of great pride for the SAD that throughout the 100 years of the SGPC, the Khalsa Panth has always placed their trust in the representatives of the party. This is unparalleled in world history. “ He said that those who are repeatedly rejected by the Sikh masses remain busy in conspiracies against the Sikh religious parliament. These conspiracies are always sponsored by the Congress and its governments. “
He said that the choice before the Khalsa Panth is very clear: whether to follow “the Sangati” democratic system bequeathed to us by great Guru Sahiban or to allow the Mahants in new garbs to snatch away this right from the Sikh masses. SAD believes that only the Sangat has the right to decide on the religious affairs of the community.”
The former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab also unfolded his blueprint for future for Punjab, saying that his main goal would be to Develop Punjab as a role model of modern progress. “When we form a govt, our maximum stress would be on Health and Education for our youth and children. In addition, we will resume the development of world infrastructure in Punjab, with emphasis on connectivity and smart energy. We will also strive to clean our rivers and canals. Preserving the great Sikh and Punjab heritage will be another focus area. But all this can only be achieved if we remain united and defeat those who want to divide us. This is also important to maintain peace and communal harmony”, he added.