The Congress in Punjab accused the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal-led regime of politicising the Dera Sacha Sauda issue and claimed radical groups were once again raising their heads
CHANDIGARH: The Congress in Punjab on Tuesday accused the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal-led regime of politicising the Dera Sacha Sauda issue and claimed radical groups were once again raising their heads because they were enjoying patronage from the state government.
"The Akali government wants to keep the Dera issue alive for their vested interests. The Dera head (Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh) had earlier tendered his apology, then why is the issue being raked up again and again," state Congress chief Shamsher Singh Dullo told on the sidelines of a meeting of office bearers of the party's backward classes and minorities cell here.
He said some people who were allegedly acting at the behest of the SAD had taken out marches in different places in the state a month back with naked swords in their hands "leaving law abiding citizens in a state of terror".
"The Akali workers went berserk (after the Dera chief was charged with hurting religious sentiments of Sikhs) and a state of utter lawlessness prevailed for four days then. The situation could have been worse had the Centre not intervened.
"Can people resort to such acts if they do not enjoy patronage of the state? Just two days back, we witnessed pro-Khalistan slogans being raised during a (anti-Dera) march by some Sikh organisations from Moga to Bathinda," Dullo said.
According to him, the Constitution has given full freedom to choose and practice one's religion, "but look at the way Dera followers were attacked at some places and terrorised as if they have done something wrong".
The Dera's political wing had appealed to the people of Punjab to vote for the Congress in the February state assembly elections.
"There are so many Deras in Punjab. On Tuesday, the Akali Dal is after Dera Sacha Sauda, tomorrow the Radha Soamis may be their next target," he alleged.
Dullo said the law-and-order situation had worsened ever since the SAD-BJP government assumed power three months back.
"Crime like rape, kidnappings and murder have become common. Police have also unleashed their brutal face. Our former MLA from Beas Dimpa was tortured in police custody. In another case, a brother of a sarpanch from Moga died in police custody a few days back," he alleged.
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