Badal condemns BJP led central govt for carrying out vendetta raids against Arhtiyas

Chandigarh, (Gurpreet) Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal condemned the BJP led central government for carrying out raids on prominent Arhtiyas in Punjab with the sole objective of intimidating them and forcing them to forsake the support they had extended to the ongoing ‘Kisan Andolan’. He said this move would only spoil peace and communal harmony in Punjab and requested the centre to resist from launching vendetta politics against those dissenting against the government by using their constitutional right of freedom of speech.

In a statement here, the SAD President said it was shocking that well planned coordinated raids had been conducted on premises of a number of office bearers of the Punjab Arhtiya Association by using the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). “We condemn this oppressive action and assure our Arhtiya brethren that we will join them in protesting against such repressive measures”.

Mr Sukhbir Badal said the central government was also going against the principle of federalism and taking on the powers of the State with this latest action. He said the centre should not misuse central agencies to settle scores against any section of society. “Such measures will only further alienate the people from the central government and could have very dangerous repercussions”.

Mr Badal also cautioned the central government not to do anything which went against the constitutional ethos of the country. He also appealed to Punjabis to unite as one in the interest of Punjabiyat to ensure no one could spoil the peace and communal harmony in the State.