Ranjit panel report a plot, ‘panth’ is in danger: Sukhbir Badal

A day before tabling of the Justice Ranjit Singh Commission report in the Punjab assembly, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Badal along with senior leaders on Sunday resorted to the party’s old slogan — ‘panth khatre vich hai’ (the Sikh community is in danger) — invoked in the past to launch agitations.

Addressing the party’s political conference at Baba Bakala, Sukhbir insisted that the panel report is a deep-rooted conspiracy to weaken the Sikh community and destroy its institutions.

“SAD is the true political representative of the Sikhs across the world, but the Congress government in Punjab is conspiring to defame it. They have made some self-styled panthic leaders, including parallel jathedars, part of this conspiracy. Pakistan’s ISI is behind these so-called panthic men and the AAP leadership is also supporting them,” he said, adding, “The Congress wants to create rifts among Sikhs and vitiate the hard-earned peace in Punjab.”

Former minister Bikram Singh Majithia, Khadoor Sahib MP Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, former minister Gulzar Singh Ranike, Istari Akali Dal president Bibi Jagir Kaur, Batala MLA Lakhbir Singh Lodhinangal, spokesperson Virsa Singh Valtoha, senior leader Vir Singh Lopoke also took digs at the ruling party in Punjab dubbing it as anti-Sikh.

They also raked up the issues of Operation Bluestar, anti-Sikh violence in November 1984, exhorting the Sikhs to be wary of what they termed as the newly hatched conspiracy against them. Majithia said, “The report has already reached the public and it is being debated already. The truth behind this conspiracy is coming out.