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Journalism of Courage
The Shiromani Akali Dal launched its ‘anti-repression campaign’ here today with an impressive rally at Gurdwara Dukhnivaran Sahib. Though NDA convener George Fernandes and Minister Shahnawaz Hussein missed the rally, three other Union Ministers attended it.
Fernandes and Shahnawaz Hussein, however, called on the Badals. Earlier, Union Ministers I.D. Swami, Vinod Khanna and S.S. Dhindsa lent their were weight and words to rallyists along with Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Punj.
The Akali-BJP unity was the high point of the rally, which was marked by a thousand saffron flags of the two parties. The three Ministers joined the Akali leaders in slamming the Capt Amarinder Singh government. Swami called upon the people of Punjab to throw out the Congress government.
Swami said the Badals were not being provided amenities in accordance with their stature. In an informal chat with reporters, he said there was no move as of now to impose President’s Rule in Punjab. He also dismissed Amarinder Singh’s contention that he was violating the jail manual by giving facilities to the Badals.
Vinod Khanna, Minister of State for External Affairs, in his brief address, accused the Punjab government of creating an Emergency-like situation in the state, and sought President’s Rule. Minister of State for Chemicals Dhindsa accused the Congress government of indulging in political vendetta as did SGPC chief G.S. Tohra. Other BJP leaders present included Balramji Dass Tandon, Master Mohan Lal and state BJP chief Avinash Khanna.
