Punjab BJP upset over Akali Dal boycotting RSS function
Thursday, 26/10/2017
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CHANDIGARH: The Punjab unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has shown resentment over its alliance partner Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) boycotting the event organised by the RSS-affiliate Rashtriya Sikh Sangat to mark the 350th birth year of Guru Gobind Singh.
State BJP chief and Union minister Vijay Sampla, who also attended the function, told Hindustan Times that Guru Gobind Singh was a torchbearer for the entire nation.
“Apart from their status as 10th Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh is also known as Hindki-Chadar as he fought for the security of the countrymen. There should not be binding on any community if it celebrates Guru ji’s contribution. The whole controversy over the issue is not appropriate,” said Sampla, without naming the alliance partner.
Former state BJP chief and ex-minister Manoranjan Kalia said the RSS has already clarified that the motive of the function was just to celebrate the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh.
“Guru Gobind Singh worked for the community as a whole. One should not politicise it and should not see the event through parochial prism,” said Kalia.
He added, “The Akali Dal should have shown large-heartedness and should have taken lead in joining the celebrations.”
Meanwhile, gormer state president Kamal Sharma said the RSS has always revered Sikhs as separate community and the entire controversy over the issue was just media creation.
