In an embarrassment to the Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP government, the Amritsar chief of the SAD and Punjab Energy Development Agency chairman Upkar Singh Sandhu resigned from his posts besides the primary membership of the party.
Holding the state government responsible for the current unrest, Sandhu said, “The recent incidents of desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib, pardon to the Dera Sacha Sauda head and now the suspension of Panj Pyaras have left me shocked as a Sikh. I cannot remain associated with the party anymore. I have sent my resignation to president Sukhbir Singh Badal.”
Sandhu claimed that he was suffocated with the prevailing scenario and the alleged misuse of the Akal Takht had left him in pain.
Sandhu said, “The government is responsible for what is happening in the state. What was the need to open fire on people protesting peacefully? The killing of the two men was shocking. Now I will go and attend their bhog on Sunday as I am no more associated with the party.”
Sandhu demanded that the Panj Pyaras be reinstated immediately.
{{/usCountry}}Sandhu demanded that the Panj Pyaras be reinstated immediately.
{{/usCountry}}Questions arrest of two men
Accusing the state government of not taking appropriate measures at the start of the problem, Sandhu said, “The kind of feedback trickling in after the arrest of two men in the Bargari incident is enough to show that police have acted in a hurry.”
The police must conduct a thorough probe and ensure that no innocent was harassed, he added.
Sandhu has been actively involved in Akali politics and had played a key role in strengthening the urban cadre of the party. He has had tiffs with BJP minister Anil Joshi and chief parliamentary secretary Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu on various political issues.