Minorities feel unsafe, says Tohra

Demanding a discussion over the issue in Parliament session tomorrow, he sought to clarify that the Akali Dal was not responsible for the Dehra Dun incident.

To a question, he said, “We are not seeking Khalistan.” Stating that the demand for the exclusion of Udham Singh Nagar from the proposes hill state was not separatist in nature, he said, “We are within our rights to raise the issues related to Sikhs settled outside Punjab.”

Reacting to the charge that the Akali Dal was meddling in the political affairs of another state, he said, “A deputation of Udham Singh Nagar residents had approached me, seeking justice.” He said pressure would be maintained for a parliamentary merger of Ganganagar, in Rajasthan, with Punjab.

In a separate press conference, Lok Sabha member Prem Singh Chandumajra lamented that the minority commissions were not active in several states to check atrocities on the linguistic and religious minorities. Adding that the Akali Dal was committed to safeguard the rights of other minorities in the country, he ruled out support to the BJP on Ram Mandir issue.

When pointed out that certain Akali Dal leaders had accompanied BJP to Ayodhya to Ayodhya at the time of demolition of the Babri Masjid on December 6, six years ago, he said, “They have now realised their mistake.” Both were here to join the Khalsa march.