E-Paper
Central government is anti-minorities: Simranjit Singh Mann
Newly-elected MP from Sangrur Simranjit Singh Mann said that minority communities, including Sikhs, don’t feel safe in India
Newly-elected Member of Parliament from Sangrur Simranjit Singh Mann on Sunday accused the BJP-led central government of being anti-minorities. He said that minority communities, including Sikhs, don’t feel safe in India.
In an interview, he dedicated his victory to the Sikhs killed since the Operation Bluestar, slain singer Sidhu Moose Wala and late actor-turned-activist Deep Sidhu.
Q: You have won after 23 years. How is this victory important for you?
A: My victory is dedicated to those who were martyred since Operation Blue Star and also Moose Wala Saab and Sidhu Saab (Deep Sidhu). My victory was only possible because of Moose Wala and Sidhu.
Q: As you also represent ‘panthic’ sentiments, what will be your strategy after this election?
A: Now the future of ‘panth’ is golden and good days will come. We will also hold elections of SGPC and get justice delivered in sacrilege, Behbal Kalan firing and disappearance of 328 ‘saroops’ of Guru Granth Sahib cases.
Q: What is the future of Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) and Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) and who will lead the ‘panth’ now?
A: People have given their decision by placing them (SAD-Badal) at number five in the election results. People have made up their mind and now there is nothing more to say for me. Badals were in connivance with the Central government and they had sold people of Punjab to them.
Q: Now that you have been elected to the Parliament. What are your plans?
A: I will do my level best to work for the progress of Sangrur district. I will also raise the issue of opening the Attari-Wagah border to restart trade with Pakistan to increase the income of farmers. Sikhs, Muslims and other minority communities are not safe in the country under the current regime led by the Bharatiya Janata Party and RSS are promoting Hindutva propaganda. I will raise my voice against it in the Parliament.
Q: Sidhu Moose Wala’s song ‘SYL’ has been blocked on YouTube. What are your views on it?
A: It is against the freedom of expression. The Constitution gives you the right to expression and allows you to speak your mind. There is nothing in the ‘SYL’ song that could cause a riot.
