CHANDIGARH: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Core Committee today unanimously spelt out the issues, policies and principles on which it will go to the people of Punjab to seek a mandate in the forthcoming Lok Sabha poll.
“The party will continue to put principles above politics and it will never deviate from its historic role as a champion of the interests of Khalsa Panth, all minorities as well as all Punjabis. At the same time, we will continue to devote all our energies towards preserving the atmosphere of peace and communal harmony on the basis of the vision of Sarbat da Bhala. As the sole representatives of the Sikhs and of all Punjabis, the party will continue its fight for more powers and genuine autonomy to the States. We have never compromised on these interests nor will let its vigil down on these in future”, said a resolution passed at a special meeting of the Core Committee which was presided by party president Sukhbir Singh Badal.
The resolution further urged the Government of India to honour its categorical written commitment for the release of Bandi Singhs who had completed their terms. “These Commitments made in the august presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib on the occasion of the 550th Birth Anniversary of Sri Guru Nanak Devji over five years ago, ” said the resolution.
The resolution further said the SAD would continue to champion the cause of the farmers and farm labourers and said that all promises made to them must be fulfilled. “SAD is the largest representative democratic organization of the farmers and has always been in the forefront of fighting for their interests”.
The resolution also called for the stoppage of brazen interference in the religious affairs and institutions of the Khalsa Panth '' We strongly condemn the conspiracies to break the SGPC by setting up a separate gurdwara committee for Haryana. We also condemn attempts to usurp control of the DSGMC, Takhat SHri Huzoor Sahib, Nanded and Takhat Patna Sahib.
The Resolution condemned the demolition and demanded allotment of the land for the construction of the Guru Ravidas Temple in New Delhi. “Continued denial of this is an act of discrimination and injustice against the great soul and against millions of his followers all over the world.”
The Core Committee also called for the opening of the Attari and Ferozepur borders to facilitate trade through the land route with other countries, as Punjab is a land locked State and faces massive handicaps in this regard.
The SAD stands for human rights and is against misuse of draconian black laws including the NSA. “These measures were opposed by us even during the Emergency. “Most patriotic leaders like Sardar Parkash Singh Badal were also subjected to laws like the NSA by successive Congress regimes”. It also strongly opposed any attempts to dilute, in letter or in spirit, the constitution of India as framed by Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar.