Punish Majithia for blasphemy: Capt to clergy

Wednesday, 30/04/2014

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20140430/punjab.htm#5

Amritsar : Former Chief Minister and Congress candidate Capt Amarinder Singh today sought stringent action against Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia for his blasphemous speech in which he distorted a 'shabad' of Guru Gobind Singh during a public rally.

Addressing mediapersons here, Amarinder said, “He has perpetrated a highly condemnable act. How can he be let off? What message it will send across to the community? What will be the credibility of those who will let him go scot free? The entire community is upset with his sacrilegious speech. I can only plead that it is a serious offence and the Sikh clergy will have to give it a serious thought.”

Replying to a query, he said he could not spell out as to what action should be initiated against him as it was for the clergy to decide. “The focus of all the Sikhs across the globe is now on the high priests over the issue of Majithia's blasphemous speech,” he said. Targeting Majithia yet again over drugs issue, he said “he should be tried for murder”.

Amarinder alleged that the SAD-BJP alliance had been resorting to money power to lure the voters: “We had lodged a complaint about their money being transported in a police vehicle, a TV van and even an ambulance in the past.” He alleged that they were trying to buy voters on the eve of polling for which a BJP leader from New Delhi was here. He said it was a “futile gesture, which showed how desperate they were”. He, however, said he could not give any evidence to corroborate his charge.

The Congress leader also targeted Punjab Local Bodies Minister Anil Joshi, saying they had got some information about his alleged involvement in some land encroachment scams, “which we will pursue once the elections are over”. He, however, declined to share any information on it.

Expressing gratitude towards the Election Commission for acting against Majithia and Amritsar (rural) SSP, Amarinder said the EC had made security arrangements to ensure free and fair polls. “I have come to know that only paramilitary forces will be deployed within and outside the polling booths. Besides, they have made a provision of mobile patrols, which is also appreciable.”

Amarinder won’t vote for wife in Patiala

While Amarinder's wife Preneet Kaur is locked in a keen triangular poll battle in Patiala, she will not get her husband's vote on Wednesday as he has chosen to be in Amritsar on the polling day. “I will be staying put in my constituency, keeping a close watch on the polling process, particularly in Majitha Assembly segment, the home turf of Bikram Singh Majithia. As a result, my wife will have to do without my vote,” he said.

Takht yet to summon Bikram Majithia

The Akal Takht has clarified that it had not summoned Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia on May 1 regarding his blasphemous speech row. A spokesperson said the Sikh clergy will discuss Majithia’s apology and other religious matters during its meeting on May 1. The Akal Takht Jathedar also said it was a sensitive issue, which was under their consideration and, therefore, the people should restrain from exploiting it for political gains.