As UK joined the ranks of major countries that have openly rejected the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) Referendum-2020, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Thursday called upon SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal to open his eyes to the “secessionist threat” of anti-Indian forces instead of indulging in political theatrics over the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), which their own Government had used extensively during their tenure.

Notably, After Canada, UK has now come out with a categorical statement that “it is not involved in any way in this unofficial and non-binding referendum…and considers Indian Punjab as part of India.

Welcoming the UK’s statement, the Chief Minister expressed surprise that Sukhbir continues to turn a blind eye to the threat posed by Pakistan-backed SFJ, and other terrorist and radical forces working to destabilize India, particularly Punjab.

“Can’t he (Sukhbir) see that the arrests under UAPA which he is opposing are part of the State Government’s strategy to combat this threat?” added Capt Amarinder.

Capt Amarinder said that it was unfortunate that instead of playing role of a constructive opposition in the State, SAD was wasting time with its baseless charges and comments.

 He reminded the SAD chief of his earlier offer to look into any case of misuse of UAPA and wrongful arrest under the same, if Sukhbir would bring any such incident to his notice.

The Chief Minister reminded the SAD president that the Badal government had registered more than 60 cases under UAPA during their term. Interestingly, of the 225 persons arrested in these cases, 120 were either acquitted or discharged.

“Should the large number of acquittals or discharges not be construed to mean you had applied the Act indiscriminately?” Capt Amarinder asked Sukhbir, questioning the SAD chief’s motives in giving a communal twist to some of the recent arrests made by the Punjab Police under UAPA.