The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is persuading Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to give up his proposed ‘morcha’ (mass agitation) against the formation of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (HSGPC) even as Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal met Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Friday.
The BJP, which is an alliance partner of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in Punjab, feels that religious tensions triggered by a mass agitation could jeopardise peace in the sensitive border State.
Speaking to The Hindu , Shanta Kumar, BJP in-charge for Punjab, said after discussing the issue with Mr. Badal, he had briefed Mr. Singh and urged action to avoid an agitation.
“No parallel SGPC”Mr. Sukhbir Badal told Mr. Singh and Mr. Jaitley that the Haryana government’s decision to form a parallel SGPC was an attack on the country’s integrity.
His views were echoed by the BJP. A senior functionary said, “The BJP agrees with the concerns expressed by Mr. Badal. It is a highly emotive issue and the party is with him, we will back whatever decision he takes.”
Mr. Shanta Kumar said both he and the Punjab BJP chief, Kamal Sharma, had conveyed to Mr. Badal that the Centre supported and understood his stand and would do its best to revolve the issue.
The BJP feels any agitation and consequent violence at this stage may encourage radical elements in Punjab.
Mr. Badal had indicated that he would launch the ‘morcha’ at a ‘Vishal Sikh Ikath’ convention at the Golden Temple complex on July 27. Prominent Sikhs from all over the world are expected to participate and to deliberate on the next course of action to be taken by the Sikh panth at the Convention.
Badal to quit?There is also widespread speculation that Mr. Badal will step down from the chief ministership to launch the agitation.
