Describing Congress-led Haryana Government’s action in getting a law enacted to set up a separate body for Sikh shrines in that state as “provocative” and a “brazen interference in religious affairs of minority Sikh community”, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Monday appealed the Centre to step in.
Badal appealed to the Central Government to “intervene” in the matter as Haryana Government’s action has not only created a constitutional crisis by openly encroaching upon the jurisdiction of the Parliament but will also inflame passions and hurt religious sentiments of millions of Sikh masses all over the world.
“This action is not only blatantly unconstitutional but is motivated by a desire to fulfill long standing design of Congress party to dilute and weaken spiritual, social and political strength of the Sikh community by seeking to encourage divisions,” said Badal.
“I simply could not understand the desperate urge of Haryana Chief Minister to tread upon Sikh religious territory while his mandate as Chief Minister is to function as a secular head of the government. What is his great motive in taking such unusual and unholy interest in Sikh affairs. Why is he so keen on undoing what people like Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatama Gandhi have done with regard to the SGPCIJ questioned Badal.
Badal said that the Haryana Government defied the wishes of overwhelming majority of Sikh masses in Haryana as expressed in the last elections to the General house of the SGPC. Haryana Government had also treated Constitution with utter disrespect by piloting a Bill which clearly violates constitutional provisions in this regard, he said.
Pointing out that all decisions regarding SGPC fall within Union Home Ministry’s jurisdiction, Badal said: “Be it the conduct and notification of elections, their results, electoral rolls, reservation for women or any other issue requiring statutory decisions, the mandate lies with the Centre alone.”