The All Party Meeting convened by the Punjab Chief MinisterCharanjit Singh Channi on Monday resolved to strongly oppose the CentreGovernment’s decision to extend the jurisdiction of BSF from 15 to 50 KM areasalong the International border in the state constitutionally, legally andpolitically in order to restore the status quo that existed before thenotification of October 11, 2021.
Earlier in his address, the Chief Minister said that thestate government would soon convene a special session of Punjab Vidhan Sabha onthis sensitive issue and recommend to the Governor to hold the session at theearliest besides the Government would also take a legal recourse by filing apetition in the Supreme Court against the unilateral decision taken by theCentre without taking the state’s consent which amounts to infringement of itsconstitutional rights and against the spirit of federalism.
Showing complete solidarity with the farmers on agitation atDelhi Borders to safeguard their interests, the Chief Minister also said allthe three black farm laws would be outrightly rejected in the forthcomingSession of State Assembly.
After detailed deliberations with the representatives ofpolitical parties, it was decided to seek appointment from the Prime Ministerso as to enable the Chief Minister to lead a delegation of all politicalparties to urge him to relook the decision and subsequently withdraw thiscontentious notification for extending the jurisdiction of BSF forthwith.
On the demand of the representatives of political parties, Channialso asked them to make use of their good offices to prevail upon the non-BJPgovernments and other regional parties especially in the states of West Bengaland Rajasthan adding the Chief Minister said he would also take up this issuewith his counterparts to mount pressure on the Centre to roll back its decisionwhich is a direct onslaught on the Centre-State relations.
Clearing the mist about the doubts raised by few leadersregarding his official meeting with Union Home Minister purportedly linking itwith BSF’s notification, Channi said he met Amit Shah to pay a courtesy callwhich is the duty of every Chief Minister to meet the Prime Minister and UnionHome Minister immediately after assuming the charge of office. He categoricallysaid he raised the issue for re-opening of Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor so asto allow the devotees to pay their obeisance at the sacred place. He alsorequested Amit Shah to immediately repeal the black farm laws for which thefarmers of the country were on agitation for over past one year.
Striking an emotional chord to make his intentions clearabout this entire issue Channi said, “You can cut my veins to ascertain mypassion and love for Punjab, Punjabi and Punjabiyat and I care two hoots forthe position of Chief Minister in the interest of my state and its people.Don’t consider my simplicity and humility as weakness and I assure that thecongenial atmosphere of peace, harmony and brotherhood of my state would not beallowed to vitiate at any cost.”
In a unanimously adopted resolution to oppose this issuetooth and nail by the representatives of all the political parties except theBJP which abstained from the meeting. The resolution reads, “Punjab is a landof martyrs and warriors. Punjabis have made unprecedented sacrifices in thecountry’s freedom struggle besides the wars of 1962, 1965, 1971 and 1999. ThePunjabis have received the maximum gallantry awards in the country.
Punjabpolice is the unparalleled patriotic force across the globe which has alwaysimmensely contributed to maintain the country’s integrity and sovereignty withits bravery and courage. To maintain the law and order is the responsibility ofthe State Government according to the Constitution and the Punjab government isfully competent for the same.
The Central Government’s decision to enhance thejurisdiction of BSF from 15 to 50 kms speaks of distrust and humiliation ofPunjab police and its people. The Centre should have discussed with the stategovernment on this issue before taking this major decision. The Centre has notyet considered it necessary to inform the state government and its people aboutwhy it has taken such a big decision. This amounts to gross infringement of thespirit of Federalism. The Centre has earlier deprived the farmers from theirlegitimate rights by making three black farm laws and now by extending thejurisdiction of BSF amounts to petty politics. Therefore, all the politicalparties present in the meeting unanimously condemned this action of UnionGovernment and demands immediate withdrawl of the notification issued by theHome Ministry on October 11, 2021.”
Another resolution against the draconian farm laws waspassed unanimously during the all party meeting which reads, Punjab ispredominantly an agrarian state. The lush fields of Punjab are the main reasonbehind the prosperity of the state. However, one year ago, the Government of Indiaenacted three black laws thus causing a severe blow to the farmers andagriculture of Punjab.
The action is being strongly opposed since that day tilltoday by every Punjabi with majority of the farmers and farm labourersagitating peacefully at the borders of Delhi for rollback of the draconianlaws. Today, it has been more than a year since the agitation commenced andover 700 farmers have died during the period but the Government of India hasnot made any fruitful efforts to resolve the imbroglio. All the politicalparties of Punjab gathered today unanimously passed the resolution and demandedthat the Union Government should immediately withdrawl the three black laws.
Earlier in his welcome address, Deputy Chief Minister whoholds the portfolio of Home Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa explained about theramifications of this unilateral decision of Central Government which has beenthrusted upon the state would not only demoralize our police force but alsogive rise to unnecessary confrontation with BSF. He said the law and order isthe state subject and Centre has not even bothered to consult us on thissensitive issue which amounts to encroachment upon the powers and roll of stateby the Centre thus tinkering with the federal structure of the constitution.
Prominent amongst others who spoke on the occasion, PPCCPresident Navjot Singh Sidhu, AAP President Punjab Unit Bhagwant Maan, Leaderof Opposition Harpal Singh Cheema, Senior Akali leader and former MP Prem SinghChandumajra, former Education Minister Daljeet Singh Cheema, President SAD(Sanyukt) and Rajya Sabha Member Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, President SAD(Amritsar) Simranjeet Singh Mann, former Deputy Speaker Bir Devinder Singh, CPI(M) Sukhwinder Singh Sekhon, CPI Bant Singh Brar, TMC Punjab Unit Manjit SinghMohali, BSP Nachhatarpal, AAP MLA Aman Arora, President Lok Insaf Party and MLASimarjeet Singh Bains, SAD (1920) Harbans Singh and National Congress PartyGurinder Singh besides Deputy Chief Minister OP Soni, Cabinet Ministers BrahmMohindra, Manpreet Singh Badal, Pargat Singh, Randeep Singh Nabha, Vijay InderSingla, MLA Fatehgarh Sahib and Working President PPCC Kuljit Singh Nagra.