Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath publiclycriticized the Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh for his “divisivepolicy” on the latter creating district of 68% Muslim population area ofMalerkotla.
Yogi claims this action to be a "reflection thedivisive policy of the Congress".
Yogi’s tweet (in hindi) read, "Any distinction based onfaith and religion is contrary to the spirit of India's Constitution. At thistime, the formation of Malerkotla (Punjab) is a reflection the divisive policyof the Congress."
Pertinently, nine months are remaining for Vidhan SabhaElections and Captain’s decision was one of his poll promises.
On his decision, the Captain government released the followingstatement:
“Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday declaredMalerkotla as the 23rd district of the State, while announcing a slew ofprojects for the development of the historic city.
The Chief Minister made these announcements during thestate-level celebration of 'Eid-ul-Fitr' , held virtually in view of thepandemic situation. On the occasion, the Chief Minister underscored India’ssecular character, which he said was manifested in the defeat of communalforces in the recent Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
Recalling the rich and glorious history of Malerkotla, theChief Minister said its conversion into a district, which was a long-standingdemand of the local people, would ease the hardships of such people and enablethem to resolve their administrative problems more seamlessly.
Initially, said the Chief Minister, the sub-divisions ofMalerkotla and Ahmedgarh, as well as the sub-tehsil of Amargarh, would beincluded in the newly created district. The process of bringing villages underthe jurisdiction of Malerkotla district would begin later, after the conclusionof the census operations, he added. The Chief Minister directed the DeputyCommissioner Sangrur to find a suitable building to immediately start thefunctioning of the District Administration office. The Deputy Commissioner forthe newly carved out district would be appointed soon, he said.
Announcing various development projects for the Malerkotla,the Chief Minister said that a Government Medical college, in the name of NawabSher Mohammed Khan, would soon be set up at a cost of Rs. 500 crore, and theState Government had already allotted 25 acres of land on Raikot Road to enablethe local boys and girls to pursue medical education. The first installment ofRs. 50 crore for this purpose had already been sanctioned, he added.
The Chief Minister also announced establishment of aGovernment College for Girls to impart quality higher education to the localgirls, who currently have to travel long distances for the same. A new busstand will also be constructed at a cost of Rs. 10 crore, he said, adding thatMalekotla will also get a 'Mahila Thana' , to be exclusively managed by women.
To ensure holistic urban development of Malerkotla, theChief Minister also announced a sum of Rs. 6 crore under the Urban EnvironmentImprovement Program (UEIP).
Further, to promote the cultural heritage of Malerkotla, theChief Minister said he had already written to His Highness the Aga KhanFoundation U.K. to undertake conservation and restoration of Mubarak ManzilPalace, occupied by Begum Sahiba Munawwar ul Nisa, the wife of Nawab IftikharAli Khan, the last ruler of Malerkotla. The Punjab Government has acquired the Mubarak Manzil Palace, and itsrestoration and upkeep would be a befitting tribute to the Nawabs of Malerkotlato perpetuate the rich legacy of the historic city, he said.
Tracing the city’s history, the Chief Minister pointed outthat it was established in 1454 by Sheikh Sadruddin-i-Jahan from Afghanistan,and subsequently the State of Malerkotla was established in 1657 by BayazidKhan. Malerkotla was later merged with other nearby Princely States to createthe Patiala and East Punjab States Union (PEPSU). During the reorganisation ofStates in 1956, the territory of the erstwhile State of Malerkotla became partof the State of Punjab.
Going down his memory lane, the Chief Minister recalled hisown cordial ties with the then Nawab of Malerkotla, whom he fondly called'Chachaji' and who lovingly addressed him 'Bhateej' (Nephew) during his earlychildhood visits to the city.
Pointing to the city’s significance in Sikh history, theChief Minister said people across the globe, especially Sikhs, revered SherMohammed Khan, former Nawab of Malerkotla, who raised his voice of protestagainst the inhuman act of torture and bricking alive of the Younger SahibzadasBaba Zorawar Singh Ji (9 years) and Baba Fateh Singh Ji (7 years) by theGovernor of Sirhind Wazir Khan.
The Chief Minister further said that thereafter, Sri GuruGobind Singh Ji had blessed Nawab Sher Mohammed Khan and people of Malerkotlathat the city will live in peace and happiness. He further noted that the cityis also blessed by the Sufi saint Baba Haider Sheikh, whose dargah also existshere.
Water Supply & Sanitation Minister and MLA MalerkotlaRazia Sultana, PPCC President Sunil Jakhar and Mufti Irtika ul Hasan also spokeon the occasion.”