Punjab CM preaches Punjabis to become ambassadors of peace

NAKODAR(Jalandhar): Punjab Chief Minister Paraksh Singh Badal has exhorted every Punjabi to become an ‘Ambassador of peace and progress. He was speaking at Sadbhawna rally of SAD here on Friday.Addressing the rally, the Chief Minister said that forces inimical to the peace and tranquility of the state were hell bent upon pushing the state back into the black days. However, he said that it was the bounden duty of every citizen of the state to safeguard the peace and progress of the state by spreading the message of communal harmony and brotherhood. “All of you should take a firm pledge to follow the footsteps of our greats Gurus, saints and seers, who have preached us the lesson of universal brotherhood, compassion and humanity, to protect the interests of the state” added Mr. Badal.
The Chief Minister said that peace and harmony were the basic ingredients of progress and prosperity of any country. Recalling the turbulent times of militancy, he said that more than 21,000 innocent people lost their lives during those difficult times. Mr. Badal said that Punjabis paid a heavy price of that period as due to it Punjab lagged behind in development. “We are organizing these Sadbhawna rallies not for any political purpose but for promoting ethos of peace and communal harmony in the state” he added.
Describing the sacrilege incidents in the state as unfortunate incident, the Chief Minister said that these heinous incidents have bruised the psyche of every human being in general and that of Sikhs in particular. However, he bemoaned that former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh had shown grave irresponsibility by alleging that it was a handiwork of state government to distract the public attention. Mr. Badal said that being a devout Sikh he respects Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji more than his life and none of them could ever think of such sin. “Captain had used Chief Minister’s official residence for constructing bars whereas ever since I have shifted Prakash of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji is being done there with full maryada, because we highly respect our eternal Guru” he added.
Coming down heavily on Captain Amarinder Singh, the Chief Minister said that Captain and separatist leader Simaranjit Singh Mann, who had attended the Chaba congregation, were relatives and they together hatch the conspiracies to derail Punjab’s peace and progress. He said that Captain and Mann meet every evening to draw strategies for pushing the state in black days. Mr. Badal said that Congress and these separatist leaders were hand in glove with each other and both have a single point agenda to divide Punjab on sectarian lines, which would not be allowed at any cost.
Making a scathing attack on Captain, the Chief Minister said that this ‘most powerful leader’ of the Congress was very weak in front of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) as we have trounced him badly in two successive polls. He said that they were well aware of Captain and his politics, which was totally a misfit in democracy. “Captain still has an autocratic mindset and his announcement regarding coronation ceremony was a reflection of it as in Democracies party presidents assumes office and coronation was totally unheard and irrelevant” he added.