‘Sikhs in Haryana have democratic right to set up separate Sikh body’

He said it was the democratic right of every Sikh in Haryana to decide whether he wants to remain with the SGPC or set up a separate committee there. “Who is Badal or Makkar to decide?,” he questioned.

In reply to a question about the reconstitution of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee,Amarinder said it was up to the Congress president Sonia Gandhi to take a call on the issue.

“She has enough experience and expertise to determine and decide what is good for Punjab,” he said while adding,”She has been working unconditionally not only for Punjab but for the nation for the past 15 years.”

About the defeat of Congress candidates in three byelections,the former Chief Minister said there was too much use of brute state force and intimidation of opponents. “Moreover,the voters were scared as they feared reprisals at the hands of Akalis in case they voted against them.” He said a byelection usually does not reflect the exact mood of the people.

To another question about number of senior IAS and IPS officers seeking deputation out of the state,the former Chief Minister regretted,this is quite an unfortunate trend that the best officers who should have been in Punjab are opting out just to escape the high-handedness of Akalis. He observed,the officers were being humiliated and subjected too many indignities that they preferred not to stay here.

The Sessions Judge Ludhiana fixed September 19,2009,as the next date of hearing.