Why is S. Prakash Singh Badal afraid of a referendum on the proposed HGPC? - 11/08/2009

Chandigarh. 11 August 2009. Qila Raipur MLA Jassi Khangura today queried why the Chief Minister was afraid of a referendum on the constitution of a separate SGPC in Haryana. He pointed out that a referendum is an ideal democratic tool for determining the wishes of the people concerned and nobody should have any objection to it.

Reacting to Badal’s strong opposition to the proposed Haryana SGPC, Khangura said, “Badal sahib has himself been claiming that 95 per cent of Haryana Sikhs are against the separate SGPC, so why not validate this claim with a referendum”. Khangura added “Perhaps it is the complete absence of democracy in his own party, whether it concerns appointing his successor or selecting office bearers, which prevents the CM from accepting this simple proposal.”

“The CM has for decades escaped with impunity by simply imposing his wishes on others. Yet he should accept that the Sikhs of Haryana are not accountable to him. They have the right to determine the destiny of the Sikh gurdwaras and institutions in Haryana.” Khangura remarked.

Khangura rejected Badal’s complaint of Congress interference into the religious affairs of Sikhs. He pointed out, “The SGPC is not a religious, but a constitutional body to which elections are held. It certainly is the apex parliament of Sikhs, but it in itself is not a religious body”, he quoted legal experts as saying.

“If anybody has interfered with the SGPC it is you Mr. Badal more than anybody else”, he said before adding “You have consistently undermined the institution of the SGPC, impinged on its independence and used religion and religious fervour, innuendo and misrepresentation to garner votes. Your are undoubtedly the principal auctioneer of the Sikh religion.”

Khangura stressed “Badal’s rejection of the proposed gurdwara committee for Haryana is purely based on his desire to control indirectly the vast income of the cash-rich gurdwaras located in Haryana. The CM’s threats and blackmail by repeatedly stating that the dark days of militancy may return are no less than a call for the further break down of law and order to achieve your political objectives.

The people of Punjab, not least the tens of thousands affected during that sorrow period of history, expect better judgement from a CM whose sole objective during that time was to protect himself by going to jail and to despatch his son to safe foreign shores.”

The Qila Raipur MLA stated that if we can have a well managed Delhi Gurdwara Managing Committee, why can’t we have a similar committee in Haryana?

Khangura closed “If you have faith in democracy put the matter to the Sikhs of Haryana.”

Jassi Khangura MLA

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