Training his guns against the Akalis, Punjab Cabinet Minister Sadhu Singh Dharmsot on Sunday said that the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has always done politics over the issue of martyrdom of Sant Harchand Singh longowal — SAD president during the Punjab insurgency of the 1980s.
“The Akali leadership has always given preference to its political interests and Sant longowal’s supreme sacrifice is deliberately undermined by the Badals, which is a grave insult of this great crusader of peace and brotherhood,” said Dharamsot while addressing the gathering during a state-level function to mark Sant longowal’s martyrdom day. Dharmsot said that instead of recognizing the great contribution of Sant longowal for the sake of the country and the state, the Badals have always given preference to their vested political interests.
“Due to Badals’ apathy, longowal town has lagged behind in the process of development during the last one decade of their misrule,” he said adding that the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh was committed for the holistic development of this town.
Dharmsot said that he would soon apprise the CM about the need for pumping in more resources to ensure overall development of longowal. Describing Sant longowal as a ‘crusader of peace’, Dharmsot said that he laid down his life for the sake of unity and integrity of the nation. The supreme sacrifice made by Sant longowal would always be remembered by one and all, he added.
“During the black days in the state when bloodshed was the order of the day, Sant longwal inked the Rajiv-longowal accord to restore peace, communal harmony and amity in the state. However, the forces inimical to the peace and progress of the State, gunned down Sant longowal to foil this attempt to big normalcy in the State,” he said. later on interacting with the mediapersons, Dharmsot said that the desecration of holy Quran Sharif in Malerkotla town was an unfortunate incident, and the perpetrators of this heinous crime would be soon put behind the bars by the State Government.
Replying to another query, the Minister said that Rs 700 crore scam regarding SC scholarship scheme during the previous SAD-BJP alliance Government would be exposed very soon.