Mann objects to Nishan-e-Khalsa

ROOPNAGAR, Aug 16: The proposal to build a 300 feet high Nishan-e-Khalsa at Anandpur Sahib is against the Sikh philosophy that condemns i...

ROOPNAGAR, Aug 16: The proposal to build a 300 feet high Nishan-e-Khalsa at Anandpur Sahib is against the Sikh philosophy that condemns idol worship. Stating this here today, SAD Amritsar chief Simranjit Singh Mann said that this proposal may have been mooted under the influence of Hindutva8217; forces, as the Badal government was committed to put up a Shivling-like structure.

Addressing a Press conference at the residence of Jathedar Bhag Singh, Mann accused the Badal government of double-speak on the Anandpur Sahib resolution. He said, 8220;No religion can grow without political power.8221;

Calling the country as a Gulamistan8217; land of slaves for the Sikhs, Mann said the Punjab government should question the validity of arms training by the VHP and Bajrang Dal to its members at the government schools.

He criticised the Badal government for having failed to protect the interests of the Sikhs from the BJP-led government at the Centre. Accusing Union Minister Surjit Singh Barnala of deceiving Sikh settlers on the Udham Singh Nagar issue by signing the bill for the proposed hill state, he reminded the people of the state that Barnala had allowed storming of the Golden Temple during his rule in Punjab.

He further criticised the mainstream Akali Dal leadership for indulging in nepotism by appointing their relatives as ministers. According to Mann, both Sukhbir Singh Badal and Harmel Singh Tohra were Union and state ministers only because of their relationship with Badal and Tohra. He added that the corruption had increased manifold under the SAD-BJP rule, which was contrary to their claims of providing a clean administration.

He listed the names of some senior police officers, who according to him were given punishment postings as a reward of their honesty. Criticising the appointment of Bikramjit Singh as the Punjab State Electricity Board, Mann said he was the same person who had been framed by the CBI.

The SAD A president was here to mobilise his partymen for the Punjab Jagao rally to be held in Chandigarh next month. He said there could be no compromise with the Congress to form a Third front in Punjab. 8220;Let Sonia visit the Golden Temple to apologise for Operation Bluestar,8217; but we seek a formal apology from the Indian Parliament,8221; Mann said.

Story continues below this ad

Replying to a question on the formation of the Third Front, he said it cannot work without the active participation of his faction.