STERN ACTION AGAINST DERA CHIEF BY THEN AKALI GOVERNMENT IN 2007 WOULD HAVE AVERTED UNFORTUNATE INCIDENTS IN 2015- JAKHAR

Chandigarh, July 19
The President of Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee Sunil Jakhar today dared the President of Shiromani Akali Dal Sukhbir Singh Badal to clear the air regarding his bonding with the Chief of Dera Sacha Sauda, due to which the Akali government had taken a u-turn in the court to protect Dera Chief.
Interacting with media persons here today, the Punjab Congress Chief, accompanied by Cabinet Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, revealed the documents pertaining to the secret pacts between Sukhbir Badal and the Dera Chief as a result of which the Akali government had taken u-turn in the court. He said that the former Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister of the state must clear the entire situation before the panth. Jakhar said that had the Akali government acted sternly against the Dera chief for wearing the attire like Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji in 2007 then neither the incidents like sacrilege would have taken place nor would have firing incident taken place at Behbal Kalan.
The President of Punjab Congress said that for the sake of votes, Sukhbir Badal has always supported Dera Chief thereby backstabbing panth. He said that now the followers of Dera has openly admitted that they had supported the Akali Dal during the 2017 assembly polls. Highlighting the series of incidents related to Dera before the media, Jakhar said that in May 11-13 Dera Chief had visited Salabatpura in 2007 and here only he hurt the feelings of every Sikh by wearing attire like Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji and offering Jaam-e-Insaan to his followers.
The President of Punjab Congress said that its announcement was widely made in all the newspapers through huge advertisements. He said that after the incident a FIR was lodged against after investigation by the IG Patiala adding that this FIR was lodged with the consent of Governor of Punjab. Mr. Jakhar said that after Dera Chief made efforts for cancelation of FIR and stopping the Police from presenting challan in the court, the Akali government, in which Sukhbir was Deputy Chief Minister, filed two affidavits in court that action would incite religious feelings besides giving free hand to his henchmen for assaulting the critics of Dera Chief.
The President of Punjab Congress said that though in 2008 High Court had allowed the filing of challan to the government but the matter was kept in limbo for four years as after fresh delimitation Bathinda Lok Sabha seat was de-reserved and Badal family was eyeing the seat for general elections in 2009 due to which trading started with Dera Chief. He said that after 2009 Dera Chief had sensed it well that Sukhbir Badal could do anything for votes so he waited for the right opportunity which came in form of 2012 assembly polls. Jakhar said that under the pressure of Dera Chief, who had supported Akali Dal in 2012 assembly polls, Akali government-which claimed itself to be totally panthic took a u-turn in the court and filed a fresh affidavit merely three days before assembly polls that Dera Chief neither came to Salbatpura in May 2007 nor he had participated in any function.
The Punjab Congress President said that Dera Chief now knew it well that Sukhbir could do anything for votes so he stage managed the release of his movie in 2015 and implemented his divisive agenda of 2007. He said that now on the directions of Sukhbir Badal, the Dera Chief was given pardon and film was released throughout the state. Jakhar said that at this time only series of unfortunate incidents of sacrilege took place along with firing at Behbal Kalan adding that if timely action was taken against Dera Chief in 2007 then Punjab would not have witnessed this troublesome period.