Bitta slams Dera Sacha Sauda, says their activities have not helped cause of peace in Punjab

Chandigarh: With Punjab limping back to normalcy after remaining tense for past few days over desecration of the holy book, All India Anti-Terrorist Front Chairman MS Bitta today said political parties should stop giving statements which may disturb peace in the state.

“It is a sensitive issue. Everyone must understand that the situation is fluid. Political parties must not give out such statements that will add fuel to the fire… For the sake of Punjab, the parties must rise above their narrow political interests and not play politics on sensitive issues,” Bitta said, adding that all parties should speak in one voice so it sends a stern message to antisocial elements.

Addressing the matter of the top Sikh clergy, the Akal Takht, revoking the pardon they issued to Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, Bitta said, the latter should “voluntarily stop all the activities of Dera in the state.”

“If it doesn’t stop, all the activities of Dera Sacha Sauda should be banned in Punjab. The Dera’s activities have not helped the cause of peace in the state,” he said.

Bitta also said political parties should stop the policy of “appeasing” the Sirsa Dera for “votebank politics”.

“This policy of appeasing the Sirsa Dera for votebank politics can be dangerous for Punjab,” he said.

Bitta also said that the Akal Takht was the highest Sikh authority and should not be challenged by anyone.

“It is the supreme temporal seat of the Sikhs, people should not challenge its authority,” he said.

Justifying the reaction of the people and recent protests in the wake of series of incidents of sacrilege, Bitta said, “people are justified in their protests…”

At the same time, he said that everybody should contribute towards ensuring peace and normalcy returns in the state.

“The present situation in Punjab is conveying a wrong message abroad. Each year, around this time of the year, there are thousands of foreign pilgrims who want to visit Punjab including Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple), but many of them have been forced to change their plans at the last moment,” he added.

PTI