Bittu flays Badal, Sukhbir over memorial issue

Congress' Anandpur Sahib MP Ravneet Singh Bittu today flayed Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and his deputy Sukhbir Badal over the Operation Bluestar memorial and honouring of Balwant Singh Rajoana with 'living martyr' title by the Akal Takht.

Congress' Anandpur Sahib MP Ravneet Singh Bittu today flayed Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and his deputy Sukhbir Badal over the Operation Bluestar memorial and honouring of Balwant Singh Rajoana with 'living martyr' title by the Akal Takht.

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Bittu alleged that through these actions, the state government was "giving official recognition to terrorists".

The Congress leader asserted that Badal and his son Sukhbir could not distance themselves from such activities. "The Badals can't say that they have nothing to do with the setting up of memorials for terrorists because it is a fact that the SAD has the sole control over the SGPC, which cannot dare to carry out such communal activities without the prior approval and directions from SAD president," the MP remarked.

On Rajona, who is facing death sentence in the Beant Singh assassination case, the Congress leader said, "The SAD-controlled SGPC is committing a blunder by glorifying a terrorist.

"Do the state government and SGPC want to give out a message to the youth of Punjab that if you kill a CM, they will award you at the highest religio-temporal seat of the Sikhs? Do the Akalis want revival of terrorism by honouring a terrorist?"

Significantly, Bittu hailed the resentment expressed by a few BJP leaders over the setting up of a memorial and honouring of militants.

"No doubt, they have expressed their feelings and sentiments, but these will be of no use as voices should have been raised before laying of the foundation stone of the memorial. They should better part ways with the SAD now," he said.