DW BUREAU / Chandigarh

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal today condemned the manner in which a case had been registered against Jathedar Tejinder Pal Singh Timma, Mukh Sevadar of Baba Deep Singh Gurdwara Sahib, Sri Ganganagar (Rajasthan) for promoting anti-national sentiments when the latter had only cautioned against communally inspired utterances against the Sikh community.

Calling for the immediate withdrawal of the false and regressive case registered against Jathedar Timma, the SAD president said "no case can be registered against someone who only highlights utterances which are aimed at hurting the religious beliefs and sentiments of the peaceful and patriotic Sikh community and calls for an end to provocative incitements to communal violence".

Appealing to chief minister Bhajal Lal Sharma to give necessary directions for withdrawal of the case, Mr Sukhbir Badal said "Jathedar Timma has categorically stated that he is opposed to any act of communal hatred and violence. Yet instead of acting against elements that continuously and brazenly make highly provocative utterances and hurl communal abuses against our countrymen belonging to the minority communities, the authorities have actually booked a member of the targeted and victimised Sikh community".

Mr Badal made it clear that there was not a single word in Jathedar Timma's utterance which was against the unity and integrity of the country in anyway and called for acting firmly against those inciting communal violence and trying to divide people on communal lines. He said utterances of important figures in highly responsible positions in the country in recent years had emboldened maverick elements to spew venom against members of the patriotic Sikh quom. The Rajasthan government must stop communal polarization in the country instead of promoting it", he added.
(editor@dailyworld.in)