Even as the Punjab Cabinet on Tuesday described the series of incidents of sacrilege of the holy scriptures as a “deep-rooted conspiracy to disturb hard earned peace” in the State, it failed to announce any compensation to the two protesters killed during police firing in Kotakpura.
Though the Cabinet expressed deep shock and anguish over the tragic incident of death of two persons in Behbal village of Faridkot district “at the very outset” and observed two minutes silence in their memory, it did not come out with any promise. All that the Cabinet did was to express “profound grief and sorrow” over this tragic incident. The Cabinet also “shared its heartfelt sympathies with the members of the bereaved families and prayed to the Almighty to give them courage to bear this irreparable loss and grant peace to the departed souls”. The opposition parties have all along been demanding compensation for the deceased families besides a Government job. Strongly condemning the “dastardly act” of sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib in various districts of the state, the Cabinet, in its urgent meeting, expressed profound grief and anguish over the “inhuman and heinous act”.
The cabinet adopted a resolution stating that it was a “sin” committed against humanity perpetrated by a handful of anti-social elements who were hell bent upon to disturb peace, amity, brotherhood and communal harmony in the State. The Cabinet reiterated the state government’s firm commitment to expose this conspiracy with the active support and cooperation of the people of State. The Council of Ministers resolved that anyone found guilty in this unpardonable offence would not be spared at any cost and exemplary action would be taken against them as a deterrent for others.
The Cabinet also called upon the people of the state to rise above the parochial considerations of caste, religion and creed to give a befitting reply to the fissiparous forces active in the State. Reiterating that Punjabis have always upheld the ethos of peace and brotherhood in the state, the Cabinet hoped that no one would be ever able to destroy the deep-knitted social fabric of the State.
Making firm resolve to maintain peace and communal harmony at all costs, the Cabinet said that the state government would thwart any such attempt, which could pose a danger to the communal harmony, progress and prosperity of the State.
MORE RESIGNATIONS FlOW IN
SAD continues to face more resignations by its leaders in the wake of ongoing situation in the State following sacrilege incidents. Party’s leader and Mansa District Planning Board chairman Mangat Ram Bansal and former SAD MlA and Punjab Public Service Commission member Mohan lal resigned on Tuesday.
Bansal, a one-time confidant of former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, resigned from the party in protest against the sacrilege of “bir” of Guru Granth Sahib.
On the other hand, Mohan lal, son of former BJP minister Swarna Ram, has resigned from the post of PPSC member in protest of desecration of Guru Granth Sahib followed by the firing by police on peaceful protesters at Kotkapura.
ANOTHER DESECRATION INCIDENT AT BATHINDA
Another case of sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib has been reported from Gurusar Jalal village in Bathinda district on Tuesday. This is the sixth incident in past eight days since the first was reported from Bargari village in Faridkot district. At Gurusar Jalal village, some pages of Guru Granth Sahib was found to be torn. Following this, tension gripped the village.
GRANTHI CONFESSED TO TEARING PAGES FROM ‘BIR’ IN BATH: POlICE
A granthi (priest) from a gurdwara at Amritsar district’s Nijjarpura village has allegedly admitted to having torn pages from a ‘bir’ of Guru Granth Sahib, the police claimed on Tuesday. IG Border Zone loknath Angra claimed that Jagdish Singh, who was arrested from the village recently, had admitted to having torn 41 pages from the holy book in a fit of rage on October 16 when he went to gurdwara at Tarn Taran’s Bath village and could not find money there. Singh’s wife is also suspected of having been involved, police said
AAP DElEGATION MEETS GUV, DEMANDS PRESIDENT’S RUlE
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Tuesday demanded imposition of the President’s Rule in Punjab contending that the state government has failed to tackle the law and order situation in the wake of recent incident of desecration of the holy book of the Sikhs.
AAP delegation, led by its state convener Sucha Singh Chhotepur, Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann and others, met Punjab Governor Katpan Singh Solanki and submitted a memorandum demanding imposition of President’s rule in the State.
Chhotepur said that the situation in Punjab was out of control of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and the only way left was to impose President’s rule in the State.
Punjab is under turmoil after series of incidents of sacrilege of ‘birs’ (scriptures) of Guru Granth Sahib at different gurudwaras in villages and protests by Sikh activists, including hardliners.
POllYWOOD APPEAlS FOR PEACE
Pollywood, the Punjabi film industry, takes on to social media to show their concern on the current situation in the state, and requesting the people to maintain peace and communal harmony. They have also urged the government to do justice as soon as possible.
Already, stars like Gurdas Maan, Jasbir Jassi, Babbu Maan, Inderjit Nikku, Sharry Mann, Diljit Dosanjh, Ammy Virk, Jassi Jasraj and many other celebs have condemned the incidents and appealed for peace.