Condemns attack on freedom of media by seizing all copies of daily newspapers today
TARN TARAN: SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal today said that Speaking about the central government notification changing the fundamental character of Panjab University by ending elections to it’s Syndicate to make it a fully nominated body and packing the Senate with nominated and ex-officio members was a direct attack on the federal character of the country.
“As per the 1966 Punjab Reorganization Act the University is an inter- State body and the power to amend the Panjab University Act-1947 is entrusted with the Punjab Vidhan Sabha. However a central notification under Section 72 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act -1966 is being used to amend the University Act which is an encroachment of the rights of Punjab”. The SAD president said it was condemnable that the AAP government, which was supposed to defend the rights of the State and take up the issue forcefully with the central government, was keeping quiet to let this injustice succeed.
Badal also condemned the AAP government for seizing all copies of daily newspapers today to prevent the people of Tarn Taran from knowing about the “Sheesh Mahal” put at the disposal of Kejriwal by chief minister Bhagwant Mann. He said the SAD stood for the freedom of the media. “We will not allow @AAPPunjab to muzzle the voice of the media. We will oppose such dictatorial actions aimed at preventing the truth from reaching the people tooth and nail. It is clear that Kejriwal has got blinded with power. He thinks he is above the law and can do anything.
He should remember only one year of AAP rule is left in the State and its countdown will start once it loses the Tarn Taran by-election on November 11. Then Kejriwal and all govt functionaries indulging in such wrongdoings will be held to task as per law”, Mr Badal added.
The SAD president while addressing the people also spoke on how lawlessness had crossed all limits. “Shop keepers in Tarn Taran told me they are receiving extortion threats”. He said the less said about drug trafficking in the AAP regime the better. “AAP leaders have formed a nexus with gangsters and the drug mafia. They are taking monthlies from them. This is why gangsters and drug dealers have a free hand in Punjab”, he added.