Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab MLA Manwinder Singh Giaspura on Thursday slammed the BJP-Akali government for its failure to protect the sanctity of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, saying the theft of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and repeated incidents of beadbi took place under its watch, followed by police firing on peaceful protesters at Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan. He said the 2015 incidents remain a deep wound in the hearts of Punjabis, as the Akali Dal Badal used Sri Guru Granth Sahib and the Panth for political interests while in power in alliance with the BJP, and now, despite that dark chapter, the proposed renewed BJP-Akali alliance is being pursued for political protection in the beadbi and firing cases and to advance efforts to bring back the three farm laws in Punjab.
The AAP MLA affirmed the people of Punjab will never forgive those responsible for the 2015 beadbi and firing incidents and demanded that the SIT Special (Investigation Team) establish who ordered the police action against peaceful protesters and ensure accountability for the deaths of Krishan Bhagwan Singh and Gurjit Singh. He questioned how Sukhbir Singh Badal, who was Home Minister at the time, could claim ignorance of the theft when information had reached his own office, and alleged that Sukhbir Singh Badal was sitting in a five-star hotel while directions were being given to senior police officers for action against peaceful protesters.
Addressing a press conferenc. on Thursday, MLA Manwinder Singh Giaspura stated, “On June 1, 2015, Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was stolen during the Akali-BJP government, but the incident was taken lightly by the government. Sukhbir Singh Badal, who was then the Home Minister, has told the SIT during questioning that he was not aware of the theft. However, the Intelligence Wing had sent a report and Sukhbir Singh Badal’s personal secretary also told the SIT that information about the incident was available. How could the Home Minister remain unaware when his own office had received information?”
The AAP MLA said that even after the theft, the government failed to act when posters were put up in September 2015 challenging Sikhs to find their stolen Guru. “The failure to take timely action emboldened those responsible for the subsequent beadbi in October, when the Angs of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji were found scattered in the streets. The incident deeply hurt Sikhs across the world,” he added.
MLA Manwinder Singh Giaspura said the sangat had gathered peacefully at Kotkapura, where ardas and kirtan were taking place, but water cannons were used against the protesters. The MLA said that he was also present at the protest. “The SIT (Special Investigation Team) has already presented a chargesheet in the Kotkapura firing case, in which Sukhbir Badal, Charanjit Sharma, Paramraj Singh Umranangal and Sumedh Singh Saini are facing proceedings and are currently on bail. The key question before the SIT is who ordered the firing and who gave the directions to disperse the peaceful protesters,” he said.
The AAP MLA pointed out that the subsequent events at Behbal Kalan on October 14 were even more painful, as two young men, Krishan Bhagwan Singh and Gurjit Singh, were killed in police firing while the sangat was holding a peaceful protest. “Sukhbir Badal has repeatedly claimed that he was not in Punjab at the time. But court documents related to his bail indicate that Sukhbir Badal was present in Punjab and was staying at a five-star hotel. Directions were being given from there to senior police officers including Charanjit Sharma, Paramraj Singh Umranangal and Sumedh Singh Saini. The people of Punjab want to know who ordered the firing and who gave the directions to disperse the protesters. Sukhbir Badal himself had acknowledged his role in the events before the Sri Akal Takht Sahib,” he added.
Referring to the statement given by Giani Raghbir Singh to the SIT, MLA Manwinder Singh Giaspura said that the contents of the acknowledgement made by Sukhbir Singh Badal before the Sri Akal Takht Sahib are part of the record. “If this acknowledgement and other evidence are already part of the record, why should they not be presented before the court and the SIT? Why should those responsible not face the strictest punishment? Punjab has the right to know who gave the orders and who was responsible for the deaths of Krishan Bhagwan Singh and Gurjit Singh,” he said.
The AAP MLA also noted that the proposed renewed understanding between the Akali Dal and BJP shows that the two parties have not learnt from the past. “The alliance is being pursued because the BJP is once again in power at the Centre and Sukhbir Badal expects political protection in the cases related to the beadbi and the deaths of Krishan Bhagwan Singh and Gurjit Singh. The proposed Akali-BJP alliance is not about the interests of Punjab or the Panth. It is being pursued because the BJP is once again in power at the Centre and Sukhbir Badal expects political protection in these cases. Sukhbir Badal is once again compromising the interests of Punjab and the Panth for political gain,” he said.
MLA Manwinder Singh Giaspura further said that the proposed understanding is also linked to efforts to bring back the three farm laws in Punjab. “The farm laws had led to the deaths of more than 750 farmers during the farmers’ movement, and Sukhbir Singh Badal is once again compromising the interests of Punjab for political gain,” he added.
The AAP MLA said the people of Punjab are closely watching the developments in the SIT proceedings and will not forget those responsible for the beadbi and the deaths of the two young protesters. “Those who have hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community and those responsible for the firing will eventually face justice. The wheel of justice may move slowly, but it grinds exceedingly fine,” he said.
He pointed out the Bhagwant Mann government has taken steps to ensure strict punishment for beadbi by bringing in stringent legislation, under which bail would not be available and life imprisonment could be imposed. “Those who fear this law are attempting to create objections and hurdles against it. At the same time, senior lawyers and intellectuals who have fought for Punjab’s rights have supported this law and considered it justified. The Bhagwant Mann government is committed to ensuring strict punishment for beadbi and ensuring that those responsible face justice,” concluded MLA Manwinder Singh Giaspura.
