Page 27 - Tehelka Issue 13 - July 15, 2018

politics

a referendum, there-
fore, does not make any
sense at all. Without
the rest of the coun-
try’s resources, how
will Punjab survive if it
is created as a separate
country,’’ said Professor
Manjit Singh.
But as the contro-
versy started to sub-
side, AAP’s suspended
MP Dr Dharamvira
Gandhi raked up the
issue again. Gandhi re-
portedly issued a state-
ment in support of Ref-
erendum 2020. Talking
to Tehelka, Dr Gandhi
clarified that he is not
supporting Punjab Ref-
erendum 2020. He said
he is only supporting
the right of the people
to express their politi-
cal, religious, economic
views freely in a demo-
• seeking split command was planning to take ac- support from the Overseas Wings cratic country like India. If they do
Khaira attacked tion against Sukhpal Singh Khaira. of AAP. A letter was issued by the so there should not be any persecu-
both Capt Ama- Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Overseas Wings of AAP that said tion or prosecution.
rinder Singh which has ruled Punjab over a it was sad that party’s own leaders Dr Gandhi said when people
and Parkash number of years, too expressed re- were attacking him instead of sup- often declare India will be a Hindu
Singh Badal sentment over AAP leaders utter- porting the issue raised by him. Rashtra in a few years time no one
for backing ances on Referendum 2020. A state- Talking to Tehelka, political ana- criticizes them.
secessionist ment issued by SAD spokesman lyst from Punjab,Dr Manjit Singh, “Why should Dalits, minorities
demands in Daljit Singh Cheema said the party said it was wrong on the part of including Sikhs be questioned if
the past was surprised by the fact that even Khaira to talk of any bias or discrim- they raise their issues and demands
elected over representatives were ination against the Sikh community peacefully? Why should they face
now talking about Referendum which he had cited as instance why sedition charges? What is wrong in
2020 which attempts to divide the demands for the referendum 2020 the expression of their views? Why
country. “This is an attempt on the were being raised now in Punjab. should government gag their voic-
integrity and sovereignty of India,’’ “Punjab is a Sikh state on the ba- es? I also support democracy. It is
said Cheema. sis of its majority popularity. Sikhs the democratic right of every citizen
Khaira reportedly was accused of have been ruling the state all these to express themselves and I stand by
making such a statement to attract years. Where is the question of dis- that,’’ he said.
NRI support for the AAP and espe- crimination against Sikhs in Punjab Gandhi also uploaded a video on
cially overseas funds for the party. or any other part of the country? his Facebook account saying every-
No wonder many office bearers and Punjab was party to all the previous one in the country has a right to ex-
volunteers of AAP’s foreign wings water accords in the state. It is true press his or her views through dem-
in countries like Canada, US and that Punjab has to share 8 MAF wa- ocratic means. The government, in
Europe backed Khaira after his re- ter to Rajasthan and .02 MAF to Har- turn, should not gag such voices, the
mark. The overseas units demanded yana. But water is no single state’s video showed him declaring. AAP
action against co-convener of Pun- property. It has to be shared. There is so far has not taken any note of the
jab unit, Dr Balbir Singh, who had no discrimination in this. Sikhs are statement of its suspended MP.
attacked and criticised Khaira for not persecuted or prosecuted in any
his statement. Khaira even found part of the country. The demand for letters@tehelka.com

Tehelka / 15 july 2018 27 www.Tehelka.com

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