Punjab Speaker urges PM Modi to intervene in farmers’ agitation

Urging the Prime Minister to engage with the farmers, Sandhwan emphasised that the Centre must take decisive action to resolve the issues without unnecessary delays.

Lamenting the plight of Punjab’s farmers, Sandhwan said it was disheartening to see them left stranded on roads while the Union Government remained indifferent. Drawing a comparison, he highlighted that in European countries and other nations, farmers can take their concerns directly to their parliaments, whereas Indian farmers face neglect when raising valid issues.

Sandhwan reminded the Centre that farmers not only feed millions but also serve as the backbone of India’s trade, industry, and economy by producing diverse crops. He called for a sincere, serious, and sympathetic approach from the Union Government in addressing their concerns.

“It’s high time farmers were given their due. The Union Government must step up and take timely action to resolve these pressing issues,” he added.

Interestingly, Sandhwan’s statement supporting farmers comes even as Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has yet to comment on the matter.

On the issue of restoring and conserving the historic Diwan Todar Mal Haveli in Fatehgarh Sahib, Sandhwan presided over a high-level meeting at the Punjab Legislative Assembly Secretariat. He stressed the need for a united front to rejuvenate this treasured landmark.

The haveli, lying in a dilapidated condition despite being declared a protected monument in 2003, holds significance in Sikh history. Diwan Todar Mal is remembered for his unparalleled bravery in cremating Mata Gujri and the two younger Sahibzadas, Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh, by paying an exorbitant price for land to perform their final rites in 1704.

Sandhwan paid tribute to Todar Mal’s courage, emphasising that preserving the haveli is about passing on a legacy to future generations and instilling pride in their rich cultural heritage.

He praised the efforts of the Diwan Todar Mal Heritage Foundation and noted that the restoration would be a collaborative effort involving the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and Punjab Tourism and Archaeology Department.

Lakhvinder Singh Kahne Ke, President of the Heritage Foundation, expressed confidence that with strategic collaboration and approvals from the SGPC and Punjab Government, the haveli would soon be restored to its former glory.

The meeting included expert engineers who presented a meticulous restoration plan and engaged in detailed discussions with representatives from the SGPC and Tourism and Archaeology Department. Sandhwan described the meeting as “positive.”

Attendees included Tourism and Archaeology Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond, Tourism Department Director Amrit Singh, Deputy Commissioner Fatehgarh Sahib Dr Sona Thind, SSP Dr Ravjot Kaur Grewal, Maharani Priti Singh of Nabha State, and representatives of the SGPC and Diwan Todar Mal Heritage Foundation.

In another meeting, Sandhwan advocated for immediate action to discard faulty editions of Gurshabd Ratnakar Mahan Kosh, the Sikh literature encyclopedia published by Punjabi University. Errors in the dictionary had led to the destruction of all copies in March 2019, halting its publication.

After discussions with Sikh institutions, Sandhwan stressed that new editions should adhere to recommendations from the relevant committee. He directed the Higher Education Department to submit a report within three weeks, emphasising the importance of maintaining the sanctity of Gurbani and correcting misconceptions for future generations.

Sandhwan has previously made headlines for holding parallel meetings alongside the Chief Minister’s. In December 2022, some officials summoned by both Sandhwan and Mann skipped the Speaker’s meeting, leading to privilege notices. The matter was later resolved. In July this year, after AAP’s poor performance in the Lok Sabha elections, Sandhwan and Mann held a closed-door meeting with AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh.