Amritsar: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today started an Akhand Path at Sri Akal Takht Sahib to mark its 100th anniversary which falls on December 14 followed by ‘sewa’ even as its President appealed to Punjabis to reject attempts to create a communal wedge in Punjab.
The top SAD leadership initiated the Akhand Path today morning following which senior leaders including the SAD President, Shiromani Committee President , Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Bikram Singh Majithia performed ‘jora ghar sewa’ and ‘bartan sewa’ at Sri Darbar Sahib.
While speaking to newsmen on the occasion said a conspiracy was afoot to turn the ongoing farmer agitation into a ‘dharam ki ladai’. “Agencies are plotting to defame the agitation in various ways including painting the agitating farmers as terrorists and separatists. We need to reject such forces and ensure peace and communal harmony is not disturbed in any manner”. President made it clear that the SAD was ready to make any sacrifice to ensure those trying to create a wedge in society did not succeed.
The SAD President also made it clear that the farmers who were agitating for their rights were nationalists and not separatists. “If they were separatists or terrorists then why did the centre talk to them? Would the centre have called them ‘desh bhakt’ if they had agreed to their demands?” he asked.
Speaking about the three agri laws, Sukhbir Badal said the SAD had requested the central government to refer them when they were Bills to a Select Committee so that appropriate feedback could be taken from farmers across the country. “Unfortunately this was not done which has resulted in the present situation. I would also like to make it clear that the government by agreeing to make amendments in the three Acts has admitted that there are inherent flaws in them”.
Talking about the role of the SAD in the agricultural sector, he said party governments had ensured free power for agricultural operations which had helped farmers up to as much as Rs one lakh per tubewell motor.
