Dal Khalsa, Cong question ‘VIP treatment’ to Majithia - Allege the minister merely pretending to do ‘sewa’
Thursday, 08/05/2014
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20140508/punjab.htm#4
Amritsar : Senior Congress leader Sukhjinder Raj Singh Lalli Majithia today questioned the alleged VIP treatment being accorded to Punjab Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia while he is undergoing ‘tankhah’ (religious punishment). The ‘tankhah’ was awarded to him by the Sikh clergy for his blasphemous speech during an election rally here.
Addressing a press conference here, Lalli Majithia claimed, “The Sikh high priests had directed him (Bikram Majithia) to perform ‘sewa’ a day each at all the five Takhts. But he did it at two Takhts on a single day.”
He also raised questions on some SGPC members accompanying him while performing the ‘sewa’. He also accused “the minister of resorting to a mere show off” while alleging that those accompanying him were “performing the actual ‘sewa’ and he was merely pretending to do so”.
Lalli accused Bikram of playing with the sentiments of the people by allegedly considering the ‘tankhah’ against him as a mere formality.
Dal Khalsa spokesman Kanwar Pal Singh also alleged that Majithia was defying and defeating the very spirit of “tankhah” and making mockery of a punishment. He said, “Bikram is politicising the ‘tankhah’ and trying to gain mileage out of it. The manner in which he performed ‘sewa’ at both the Takhts reflects that there is no humbleness in him.” He has also urged the Akal Takht to seek explanation from the SGPC regarding the violation of ‘maryada’ “by forcing the raagi to perform ‘kirtan’ to suit Majithia’s presence”.
On the other hand, Majithia has rejected the charges levelled against him. He said he was performing the ‘sewa’ as a “humble Sikh”. He said the ‘tankhah’ awarded to him only required him to wash utensils and contribute monetarily to the ‘langar’ but he was voluntarily dusting shoes and listening ‘gurbani’.
He also denied that he was being given any VIP treatment at the Takhts.
