Certain forces, within and without, trying to disturb peace in Punjab: Badal

Anandpur Sahib (Ropar): Exhorting the SAD-BJP alliance to work zealously towards thwarting any attempts to disturb harmony in Punjab, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Wednesday said some forces, both from within and outside the country, were trying to disrupt its hard-earned peace. The Chief Minister said there were some active forces which were wary of the state’s peace and progress and their sole motive was to destabilize the state government by disturbing peace and communal harmony as part of a conspiracy. He was addressing a gathering after the bhog (culmination) of Akhand Path Sahib (recitation of hymns) at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib as repentance over the acts of desecration of a Sikh holy book in the state. [caption id=“attachment_2368040” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal. AP[/caption] Badal said it was time for all leaders of the alliance to come forward and make people aware of the nefarious designs of such forces in order to foil their attempts. Chalking out a detailed programme for leaders and workers of the alliance, the Chief Minister impressed upon them to organize Akhand paths in villages and towns and pray for peace and brotherhood. He said the hard-working and resilient workers of the alliance have been custodians of peace and amity and hoped that this tradition would be upheld by them in this present scenario too. “I am sure every one of you will thwart any attempt aimed at destabilizing peace and tranquility in the state,” Badal added. Coming down heavily on those attempting to gain political mileage out of the issue, the Chief Minister said while on one hand every Sikh was tormented by the “inhuman” acts, on the other some people were trying to score brownie points by unleashing malicious propaganda against the state government. He said the protests and forcible closures of markets organized by some forces were of no use as they harassed the general public. “In the same manner some political leaders have resigned from their posts just to score political mileage which is unfortunate,” Badal said. Terming it as an “intolerable” offence, Badal said he was personally peeved over the heinous incidents and as the chief minister he had a huge responsibility due to which he paid obeisance at Sri Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar to pray for peace and communal harmony in the state. The Chief Minister said some forces had always desired turbulent conditions in state but the alliance had worked towards ensuring peace and communal harmony. He said Punjab was most peaceful state in the country despite a hostile border but the “unimaginable” incidents in the past few days had resulted in critical conditions. Badal said forces which wanted to push Punjab back to the “black days” were active again so people should support the alliance government to crush their ugly head. “Police or state government can never achieve all this without the support and cooperation of general public,” he added. Reiterating that the perpetrators of the crime would be brought to book, the Chief Minister said police had nabbed culprits in five out the seven incidents of desecration. The remaining two would be cracked soon and exemplary punishment would be ensured to the guilty, he added. However, Badal said those people who were duty bound to maintain dignity of the holy book were found involved in the crime. Jathedar Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib Giani Mal Singh also performed ‘Ardas’ on the occasion. PTI