Jalandhar:- Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today said during the Doaba leg of his "Shukrana Yatra" here that the anti-sacrilege law will bring justice to those who were aggrieved by the sacrilege incidents in the state. The Chief Minister asked the people to remain united against the divisions that may be fomented by the BJP in the state before the elections. Repeatedly targeting the Shiromani Akali Dal, he also said that the Akali Dal's criticism of the anti-sacrilege law is due to its own involvement in the sacrilege incidents in the state.
Although the Chief Minister's comments this morning, in which he held the BJP responsible for the blasts in Jalandhar and Amritsar last night, have created a political stir in the state, the Chief Minister refrained from mentioning the issue again during the remaining legs of his visit to Doaba.
The Shukrana Yatra is a four-day programme during which the Chief Minister will travel across the state and pay homage at Sikh religious places. Its aim is to thank God for the successful passage of the Anti-Sacrilege Bill in Punjab and to reach out to the public about the Bill.
Addressing the public today in the crowded markets of Balachaur and Phagwara and near the Shaheed Smarak at Khatkar Kalan (Banga), the Chief Minister said, "God has given us the strength to undertake this service. The sacrilege of Guru Sahib used to break hearts. For this, strict laws have been made. We are thanking God for the strength He has given us."
Taking a dig at the Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal, the Chief Minister said, "The opposition first told us that you will not be able to bring the bill. Then they said that the matter will go to the President, then they said that the Governor will not sign the bill. But the Governor very generously gave his assent. Now they are saying that the bill has been brought without consulting us."
Targeting the Akali Dal, the Chief Minister further said, "When the Sangat (public) has given its assent, what does the advice of a family matter. But the Badal family's criticism of the law is linked to their own involvement in sacrilege cases. They are afraid that their own name will come out. People considered the 'Takdi' (the Akali Dal's election symbol) as the symbol of Baba Nanak and voted for them. But they abandoned the 'Bani' of Baba Nanak and scattered it in the streets. Since the day the bill was passed, have you seen the Akali Dal anywhere?"
During his address at Banga and Phagwara, the Chief Minister also targeted the BJP and said, "Stay united, they make us fight in the name of religion. This is what the BJP does before elections. It makes two factions fight. But this should not happen in Punjab. Punjab has seen many dark nights, everything should be peaceful here." The Chief Minister also uttered a new 'kikli' targeting Sukhbir Badal during his address at Phagwara.
During his stopover at Banga, Chief Minister Mann paid homage by bowing down to the statue of Shaheed Bhagat Singh at Khatkar Kalan. At Phagwara, the Chief Minister also promised to restore the JCT Mill and clear the dues of the workers as well as the sugarcane dues.