Chandigarh: Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh have come face to face over action against Sikh youths during crackdown against Amritpal Singh and his associates.
Responding to Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh’ s ultimatum given to the state government, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann wrote a tweet and said, “Jathedar Sri Akal Takht Sahib ji, everyone knows that you and SGPC have been siding with the Badals. In the history, many Jathedars were used by the Badals for their own self-interest. It would have been better if you had issued an ultimatum for sacrilege and the disappearance of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji’s saroops and not to provoke the laughing people.”
Reacting to this, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh said in a Facebook post, “Just like you represent Punjab, I am also a representative of my community. I also have the right and duty to talk about the rights of innocent youth of my community.”
He further told to CM Mann that you are right that often innocent religious people are used by political people. But I am fully conscious of it. But keep in mind that political people like you should not be used by political people to let Punjab burn and allow them to do politics, ” he said.
The Jathedar said that debate on politics could be done later but first, save Punjab and reunite innocent Sikh youths with their mothers, who have been lodged into jails by Punjab government.
On Monday, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh held a meeting with various Sikh organisations. After the meeting, he gave a 24-hour ultimatum to the Punjab government. He said that the innocent Sikh youth of Punjab who have been detained, during operation to catch pro-Khalistan Amritpal Singh, should be released within 24 hours.
He also warned the Punjab government that if this wad not done within 24 hours, then big action will be taken across Punjab. Giani Harpreet Singh said Sikhs were being defamed under a well-planned conspiracy.