Patiala: SAD (Punar Surjit) leader Surjit Singh Rakhra said the police action against members of the Sangat and farmer leaders during the Dharam Yudh Morcha in Samana was highly unfortunate, as the protest was held in support of Gurjit Singh Khalsa, who has been sitting on a 400-foot-high tower for the past 16 months. In Patiala, Rakhra said the use of force against the peaceful sangat, which gathered to press what he described as a legitimate demand, went against democratic principles and human rights.He said the demand for enacting strict laws to prevent sacrilege of religious scriptures was fully justified. He appealed to the Punjab govt to adopt the path of dialogue instead of coercion and to resolve the issue, which he said was closely linked to religious sentiments, promptly and sensitively. He added that respecting the religious sentiments of the people was a constitutional and moral responsibility of every govt.Rakhra earlier visited the dharna in Samana a few months ago along with Giani Harpreet Singh, president of Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjit), and met Bhai Gurjit Singh Khalsa Ji, who has been continuing his protest on a 400-foot-high tower for the past 16 months, demanding the enactment of a law to prevent the sacrilege of all religious scriptures. While extending support to the Dharam Yudh Morcha, Rakhra demanded that the Punjab govt and the administration immediately enact strict laws against those involved in the desecration of religious scriptures and refrain from using any kind of force against the peaceful, protesting Sangat. MSID: 128784285 413 |
