Chandigarh, January 22, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal today condemned the witch hunt launched against Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) President Manjinder Singh Sirsa by registration of a false case against him solely because the latter was providing ‘Langar Sewa’ and other humanitarian aid to the Kisan Andolan at the Delhi border.
Asserting that Punjabis across the world were aghast at the strong arm tactics being used by the BJP led central government to intimidate all those who were supporting the Kisan Sangharsh, Sukhbir Badal said now the centre had struck out at the DSGMC because it was at the forefront in providing aid to the farm movement. “The DSGMC has been providing ‘langar’ to farmers from the very first day they arrived at the Singhu border on November 26 and continues to do so even today. He said this was the same body which had won universal praise during the period of COVID-19 for the service it rendered to humanity as well as during times of natural disasters. “Now the same body is being vilified”, he said adding “the DSGMC will not be affected by such cowardly acts and will not step back from assisting peacefully agitating Kisan brethren”.
Badal said it was strange that a case had been registered against Manjinder Sirsa and others with regard to a complaint which had been filed against then DSGMC President Manjit Singh GK in 2018. He said even though Sirsa was not named in the original complaint his name had been included now while that of GK had been excluded. “This shows how the police and other Investigating agencies are being misused by the BJP against its opponents. Earlier this has also been done against farm leaders and even song writers, singers and Arhatiyas who espoused the Kisan Andolan”.
Badal also condemned the arrest of Manjinder Sirsa at Bilaspur last night where he had gone to support farmers who had been booked by the local police for trying to stop them from joining the Tractor March at Delhi. “Is supporting farmers a criminal offence? Even the Supreme Court espouses the right to peaceful protest. The centre should not stifle the voice of democracy in this manner. “Instead of registering criminal cases against those opposed to its anti-people and anti- farmer policies it should repeal the three hated Agricultural laws immediately”. Badal also demanded that the false case registered against Sirsa be withdrawn immediately.
