The Congress in Punjab on Thursday demanded a judicial probe to identify those behind the violence involving religious sect Dera Sachcha Sauda and Sikhs.
CHANDIGARH: The Congress in Punjab on Thursday demanded a judicial probe to identify those behind the violence involving religious sect Dera Sachcha Sauda and Sikhs and rejected the charge by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal that the party behind the turmoil.
The probe by a sitting judge of the High Court is needed to "expose those who are responsible for the present turmoil in the state" following the stand-off between Sikhs and Dera Sacha Sauda, said a meeting of office bearers of the party presided by PCC chief Shamsher Singh Dullo here.
A press release issued by Congress said the party strongly condemned the "failure" of SAD-BJP government led by Badal to control the law and order situation and instead "instigated" the miscreants to indulge in violence.
Congress leaders said Badal government had tried to shift the blame to Congress instead of admitting its "weak control over the administration, the police and intelligence agencies, which have so far failed in assessing the gravity of the situation arising out of 'false' cases against the activists and others who happen to be their political opponents."
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"As far as the dress and postures of the Dera head (which were alleged to be similar to that of tenth Sikh Guru Gobind Singh) are concerned, Congress firmly believes that no human being can be equated with the 10th Guru Gobind Singh.
"It is the thinking of misled Akali leaders who are trying to equate Sant Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh (Dera Sachcha Sauda) with Guru Gobind Singh although the Sant has never claimed any semblance with the Guru," the party release said.
Congress appealed to secular parties to join hands to restore peace and normalcy in the state.
The release said SGPC President Avtar Singh Makkar must own responsibility at this crucial juncture instead of "firing provocative statements".
"The apex religious body of Sikhs can restrain people from violence and can save the state from turmoil", it added.
Congress charged the Akalis with having blown out of proportion for their "selfish motives" an earlier small incident of 1978, which kept Punjab on the boil for 15 years.
The party charged SAD-BJP leaders, including Badal and (Arun) Jaitley, with having gone to seek the blessings of Dera Sacha Sauda during recent assembly elections.
Commenting on Congress legislators' participating in a dharna of Dera followers at Bhatinda recently, which has been strongly criticized by SAD, the opposition party said the party MLAs were "duty bound to facilitate normalcy in the state and persuade them to maintain peace and harmony".
The Congress leaders also condemned the action of SAD Amritsar President Simranjit Singh Mann for "dishonoring" the statue of former Chief Minister Beant Singh at Jalandhar recently.
The party demanded action against the miscreants and appealed to the state government to take steps for protecting the monuments of martyrs.
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