Sangrur, June 10 – Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal
today appealed to Punjabis to recognize the sacrifices made by the Sikh detenues
and unite as one to free them by electing Biba Kamaldeep Kaur Rajoana to the Lok
Sabha from this parliamentary seat.
Addressing worker meetings at Sunam, Dirba, Dhuri and Bhawanigarh, the SAD
President said the Sikh detenues had acted in an emotional state of mind and had
even been given life sentences for the same. “However despite the completion of
their life sentences they continue to languish in jail”, he said while giving the
example of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana who was in jail for the last 28 years
without parole. He related how Bhai Rajaoana was incarcerated in an eight feet by
eight feet cell in the ‘phansi chakki’ in the Patiala central jail and how despite
commutation of his sentence Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal was not signing
his release orders since the last seven months.
Asserting that the families of the Sikh detenues had also suffered tremendously, Mr
Badal related how Biba Rajoana’s nineteen year old married sister was killed by
the police. “Even Biba’s brother was killed and their house was burnt”.
The SAD President also related how the SAD had always stood in solidarity with
the Sikh detenues. “Mr Parkash Singh Badal took a firm stand as chief minister and
prevented Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana from being hanged. Similarly the SAD
played the main role in commuting the sentence of Prof Devinderpal Singh Bhullar
and also ensured his parole”.
Later while talking to newsmen, Mr Badal disclosed how governance was in
paralysis and the law and order situation had broken down completely. “This is
because this government is run from Delhi with Arvind Kejriwal taking a decision
on all postings and transfers of civil and police officials. Chief Minister Bhagwant
Mann does not have any say in the running of the government”.
Asserting that the financial condition of the State had also been rendered
precarious by the AAP government, Mr Badal said it was shocking that the
government had taken a debt of Rs 9,000 crore in three months only. He said this
was because the government was not taking any steps to generate revenue. He also
condemned the new excise policy which he said was aimed at handing over the
liquor business in the State to few players from outside the State and forcing
hundreds of local businessmen out of business.
Earlier while speaking at the worker meetings, Biba Rajoana made an emotional
appeal to Punjabis to help in the task of freeing all Sikh detenues from jail. She
also appealed to SAD (Amritsar) President Simranjit Singh Mann to help in this
task, saying the community had united as one to free him from jail by ensuring his
resounding victory in the 1989 parliamentary polls.
Senior leader Balwinder Singh Bhundur while speaking at the worker meetings
said AAP had asked for one chance and Punjabis had elected them to office. “But
what has AAP done? Forget giving Rs 1,000 per month to all women and
providing jobs to youth, the AAP government has not even been able to reduce the
sand prices or end the drug menace which has increased manifold”.
Others who spoke on the occasion included Baldev Singh Mann, Gulzar Singh
Ranike, Maheshinder Singh Grewal, Parkash Chand Garg, Manpreet Ayali, Dilraj
Singh Bhundur, Prem Kumar Arora, Virsa Singh Valtoha and Karnail Singh
Peermohammad.
