Though having an alliance for almost two decades, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the BJP have almost decided to organise separate campaigns against the drug menace in Punjab. As a follow-up to dharnas along the international border, the Akali Dal has announced the launch of a lok lehar (public movement) against social evils from the Maghi festival on Jan. 14.
This was decided by the SAD’s core committee, which met at the residence of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Tuesday. The meeting assumed significance as it was convened following resentment among senior leaders who had objected to being left out of the decision to organise the Jan. 5 “anti-drugs awareness” dharnas along the international border. The Jan. 5 agitation was aimed at pressuring the Border Security Force to check smuggling of narcotics.
The Akali Dal decided to launch the campaign ahead of the re-scheduled programme of BJP president Amit Shah. Mr. Shah might launch his party’s anti-drugs drive from Amritsar on January 22. The BJP, which had sought the resignation of a Punjab Minister quizzed by the Enforcement Directorate in the Rs. 6,000-crore synthetic drugs case is yet to respond to the offer made by Mr. Badal and Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh to allow them to participate in Mr. Shah’s campaign. In its “ lok lehar ,” the Akali Dal, while campaigning against drugs, alcohol, dowry, female foeticide and ostentatious expenditure, is not likely to invite the BJP.
According to party sources, the Akali leaders at the Core Committee meeting were upset that the BJP central leadership had not reined in leaders of a section of the party’s Punjab unit openly criticising the alliance partner. The SAD resentment grew after the Union Home Ministry rejected the Chief Minister’s plea to release Sikh prisoners who had completed their jail term for militancy-related violence.
Human rights activist Bhai Gurbaksh Singh has been on a fast for more than 50 days in Ambala seeking the release of the prisoners, including at least three who were convicted in the Beant Singh assassination case. Last year, he called off his hunger strike after various religious and political leaders, including Mr. Badal, gave an assurance that the prisoners would be released. Bhai Gurbaksh Singh’s current protest has received major support from various sections of the community, including those settled abroad.
While addressing a congregation in the Golden Temple complex on Tuesday to mark the death anniversary of Beant Singh and Kehar Singh, who were hanged for assassinating the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the Jathedar of the Akal Takht, Giani Gurbachan Singh, sought unity among Sikhs to secure the release of the prisoners.
Akali Dal announces public movement against social evils from January 14
