Chandigarh: Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjit) on Sunday asked the Centre to “apologise for the 1984 genocide” in Parliament.In a memorandum to the Punjab governor, Gulab Chand Kataria, a delegation of the SAD (Punar Surjit) demanded that the Centre “formally apologise in Parliament for the 1984 genocide, declare Indira Gandhi as the main culprit, and rename Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport after Guru Teg Bahadur”.SAD (Punar Surjit) also demanded “exemplary punishment through fast-track courts for those guilty in the 2015 sacrilege cases, including Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim”.The party also demanded “the immediate conduct of the SGPC elections, which have been overdue since 2011, and the release of Bandi Singhs who have completed their sentences”.The memorandum also sought comprehensive amendments to the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026, after proper consultation with Sikh institutions.On the agricultural and economic front, the memorandum demanded a comprehensive revival package, including a complete farm debt waiver, statutory guarantee on MSP for diversified crops, and the opening of the Wagah border for agricultural and commercial trade”.The party also demanded “protection of labourers’ rights, debt waiver for landless workers, and restoration of MGNREGA funding on the 90:10 Centre-State pattern”.The delegation also demanded “the completion of the Punjabi Suba by including Punjabi-speaking areas left out in 1966, protection of Punjab’s rights over its river waters and hydroelectric projects, and immediate reopening and uninterrupted operation of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor”.Further, the SAD (Punar Surjit) requested “a special economic and industrial package for Punjab on par with other border states, along with a 50% reduction in VAT and excise duty on fuel to provide relief from inflation”.It called for the timely availability of fertilisers such as DAP and urea, and strict action against black marketing and forced bundling of products.The party reiterated the demand to “grant special category status to Punjab in recognition of its extraordinary contribution to national security, food security, and the Green Revolution”.The delegation included Gurpartap Singh Wadala, secretary general, SAD (Punar Surjit); former MPs Prem Singh Chandumajra and Paramjit Kaur Gulshan; Gobind Singh Longowal, the former MLA and ex-president of the SGPC; former ministers Sucha Singh Chhotepur and Sarwan Singh Phillaur; and former legislators Gaganjit Singh Barnala, Ajaypal Singh Meerakot and Ranjit Singh Chhajalwadi.MSID:: 131721201 413 |
