Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Badal on Friday said that only a Congress Government, which had always treated Sikh religion and its institutions callously, could scrap the holy day to mark the creation of the Khalsa from the official list of holidays in Punjab.
“The same Congress party is responsible for attacking Sri Harmandar Sahib with tanks besides perpetrating the worst genocide against the Sikh community in 1984...Only such a party could scrap the holy day of Baisakhi from the list of Government holidays,” said Sukhbir adding that by doing so, it has again poured salt over the wounds of the Sikh community which will never tolerate this attack on its religious tradition and practices.
Demanding an immediate rollback of the decision, Sukhbir said that it was shocking that the Congress government had tried to belittle the historic significance of Baisakhi on which day Guru Gobind Singh created the Khalsa panth in 1699.
Sukhbir said that Baisakhi is celebrated by one and all as it also marks the arrival of spring harvest. On this occasion, people visit gurdwaras and community fairs besides participating in nagar kirtans. Special celebrations are held at Amritsar, Anandpur Sahib and Talwandi Sabo on the occasion, he said adding that stopping people from attending these is an “anti-Punjabi step” which we will oppose tooth and nail.
Stating that no government could be allowed to show abject disrespect to the common Punjabi heritage, Sukhbir said that the government must understand that it cannot do any governance what to talk of better governance by insulting the emotions of its citizens.
“The insult to the Guru’s day of creation is unacceptable and this arbitrary decision must be rescinded immediately,” he added.
Sukhbir said that as far as reviewing list of holidays was concerned, this should have been done only after adequate consultation and consensus instead of riding roughshod over the sentiments of everyone by adopting an arrogant and dictatorial attitude.
“There is tremendous resentment also on why the government is not commemorating the martyrdom day of Guru Tegh Bahadur, installation day of Guru Granth Sahib, Mahashivratri besides Eid-ul-Zuha and days associated with martyrs. The Government should take immediate remedial action,” he added.