American Sikhs oppose Sukhbir’s casino dream, SGPC mum
Monday, 06/08/2012
http://punjabnewsline.com/content/american-sikhs-oppose-sukhbir%E2%80%99s-casino-dream-sgpc-mum/54505
AMRITSAR: Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal’s proposal to set up a Las Vegas strip like casinos near Ludhiana, has evoked sharp criticism from the Sikh community around the globe.
American Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (AGPC) has reacted strongly and opposed Sukhbir’s proposal to open casinos in Punjab. Its head JS Hothi and convenor Dr Pritpal Singh said in a joint statement that the move is anti-Sikh and awful for Punjab as gambling is prohibited in Sikh religion.
“Sukhbir should not go ahead with such a proposal. This move is condemnable. We will soon write to Akal Takht Jethedar to take notice of this move as it is against the Sikh ethos and principles,'' they said.
“Sikh Gurus had clearly stated that the gambling is the worst habit which no Sikh should indulge in,” they further said, “if Sukhbir goes ahead with this proposal to generate revenue, we would oppose the move at every front.”
"The casino culture will bring more ills which are not acceptable to the Sikh society,'' said the US Sikh leaders.
“The state of Punjab is already facing menace of drug addiction. The political leaders are failing to protect the youth from falling to this evil and instead, they are introducing more evils,” they further added.
Ironically, the AGCP has opposed the move but Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) as well as Akal Takht, the temporal seat of Sikhs, have not issued any statement against Sukhbir’s proposals. Needless to say, inaction on part of the SGPC and Akal Takht is a mere reflection of the Badals’ stand on the issue as the father-son duo has direct control over SGPC’s working.
Lashing out at Sukhbir, spokesperson of Dal Khalsa, Kanwarpal Singh said, "What else can we expect from a person who had showcased semi- nude dance before opening of Kabaddi matches last year?"
Sukhbir had ordered the state’s infrastructure development agency, Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB), to set up a Las Vegas strip-like casino at Mattewara village on the banks of river Satluj near Ludhiana.
