Punjab Congress president Sunil Jakhar on Sunday dared the Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal to clear the air regarding his bonding with the Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, due to which the erstwhile Akali Government had taken a u-turn in the Court to protect him.
“The former Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister of the State must clear the entire situation before the panth (community). Had the Akali Government acted sternly against the Dera chief for wearing the attire like Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji in 2007, neither the incidents like sacrilege would have taken place nor would have firing incident taken place at Behbal Kalan,” said Jakhar while interacting with the media persons, accompanied by Cabinet Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa.
Jakhar said that for the sake of votes, Sukhbir always supported Dera Chief thereby backstabbing panth, and now, the “Dera followers have openly admitted that they had supported the Akali Dal during 2017 assembly polls”.
Highlighting the series of incidents related to Dera, Jakhar said that on May 11-13, Dera chief had visited Salabatpura in 2007 where he hurt the feelings of every Sikh by wearing attire like Sri Guru Gobind Singh and offering Jaam-e-Insaan to his followers.
“After the incident, an FIR was lodged following investigation by the IG Patiala…After Dera Chief made efforts for cancelation of FIR and stopping the Police from presenting challan in the court, the Akali government, in which Sukhbir was Deputy Chief Minister, filed two affidavits in Court that action would incite religious feelings besides giving free hand to his henchmen for assaulting the critics of Dera chief,” stated Jakhar.
Though, in 2008, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had allowed the filing of challan to the Government, the matter was kept in limbo for four years as after fresh delimitation, Bathinda Lok Sabha seat was de-reserved and Badal family was eyeing the seat for general elections in 2009 due to which trading started with Dera chief
“As Dera chief had sensed it well that Sukhbir could do anything for votes, he waited for the right opportunity which came during 2012 assembly polls. Under Dera chief’s pressure, Akali Government took a u-turn in the court and filed a fresh affidavit merely three days before assembly polls that Dera chief neither came to Salbatpura in May 2007 nor he had participated in any function,” said Jakhar.
Jakhar alleged that Dera chief also stage-managed the release of his movie in 2015 and implemented his divisive agenda of 2007.
“On Sukhbir’s directions, the Dera chief was given pardon and film was released throughout the State,” said Jakhar adding that at this time, series of unfortunate incidents of sacrilege took place along with firing at Behbal Kalan.
“If timely action was taken against Dera chief in 2007, Punjab would not have witnessed this troublesome period,” said Jakhar.
SAD asks Jakhar why Cong Govt has not acted against any official since 3.5 years for laxity in prosecuting Dera chief
Maintaining that Pradesh Congress president Sunil Jakhar’s “blatant lies” could not save Congress’ sinking ship, SAD on Sunday asked him to explain why his Government had not taken action against any official since the last three and a half years for laxity in prosecuting Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Raheem for hurting religious sentiments of the Sikh community.
“Punjab Congress president was in such a hurry to mouth malicious lies against the SAD that he forgot to mention that it was the SAD- BJP government which sanctioned the prosecution of the Dera head in the Salabatpura case for hurting the sentiments of the Sikh community,” said former minister Daljit Singh Cheema.
He said that not only was a case registered against the Dera head under section 295 (a) and 298 for hurting religious sentiments but also under section 153 (a) for provocation with intent to riot. “The government even gave sanction to prosecute the Dera head under section 295 (a) as required under law and the Dera head was associated with the investigation 12 times. The case went up to the Session Court and is still pending in the Punjab and Haryana High Court,” he added.
Cheema said that Jakhar was indulging in “desperate antics” because he had nothing to show by way of results as far as the Congress Government was concerned.