Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Saturday said that promoting the ethos of communal harmony, peace and amity in the State along with ensuring the all-round development of it was top priority of the SAD-BJP alliance Government.
Addressing a gathering after releasing the book of Superintendent of Police (Crime) Khushi Mohammeed Khan at the local Id-Gah here, the Chief Minister said that their Government have always given due respect to every religion by ensuring the well being of the people.
He said that due to the unflinching commitment of the State Government for maintaining communal harmony and peace in the State, the people of Punjab have time and again supported them by reposing their faith in the policies of the alliance Government.
Badal said that it was a matter of great pride for all Punjabis that Punjab was the only State in the country which has witnessed complete peace in last many years.
Reiterating the commitment of the State Government towards promoting brotherhood and amity in the State, the Chief Minister said that the biggest achievement of their Government was that it had ensured communal harmony and peace in the State adding that despite being a border State, Punjab has emerged as an epitome of peace and brotherhood despite of the fact that many other states of the country have fallen prey to communal violence.
Recalling the age old ties between the Muslim and Sikh Communities, Badal said that both the communities shared a rich bond amongst themselves and the name of Bhai Mardana was taken with great reverence along with the first Guru of Sikhs, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji in the annals of Sikh History.
He said that due to these strong ties, only the Sikh Gurus had urged a Muslim Saint Sain Mian Mir to lay down the foundation stone of Sri Harmandir Sahib — the most revered place of Sikhs.
Parkash Singh Badalsaid that Sikh Gurus have taught them to respect every religion and the fact that Bani of many Saints, Seers and Prophets from different religions have been incorporated in Sri Guru Granth Sahib was a testimony to it.