AMRITSAR: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) today took out a state-level protest march from Bhandari Bridge to Hall Gate, against the Modi government's decision to levy 12% GST on Sri Harmandar Sahib Ji's Saravan. A large number of AAP leaders, volunteers and Sikh Sangat participated in this protest march.
Through this demonstration, the AAP leaders raised their voice against the Tughlaki decrees issued by the central government every day. This protest was led by State Secretary Gurdev Singh Lakhana, Pradhan Prabhbir Singh Brar from Amritsar City, Khadur Sahib Lok Sabha in-charge Baljit Singh Khaira and Amritsar District Secretary Jaspreet Singh.
Speaking to reporters, State Secretary Gurdev Singh Lakhana said that Modi government's anti-Sikh and anti-Punjab decision to impose 12 percent on Sikh sarais is a very unfortunate incident and not only Sri Darbar Sahib but also 3 other institutions will be subject to GST. has been brought into its ambit.
Calling the GST on those religious places as Jajia tax, it is unfortunate and said that GST is levied on businesses and the taverns are built only for the convenience of pilgrims coming from outside. No one's personal interest or benefit is involved here and he condemned this decision of the Center in those strong terms.
Talking to reporters, District President Prabhabir Singh Brar said that BJP has always been doing politics of religion and even now the same is being done by imposing GST on taverns. He said that mixing religion and politics is wrong. Religious places should be excluded from the purview of GST. He said that the central government has always taken anti-people decisions.
He said that by imposing GST on religious inns, the central government has hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community and they should withdraw their decision as soon as possible.