Varun Gandhi’s alleged remarks against Sikhs have caused a flutter in Punjab. While Congress former chief minister Amarinder Singh is using it to corner the Akalis on their ties with the BJP, the SGPC is discussing the issue with the Sikh high priests.
Varun, son of Maneka Gandhi who incidentally is a Sikh, equated Sikhs with terrorists who held the nation to ransom when he said he did not need the votes of Pakistanis and “Khalistanis”.
Former Congress chief minister Amarinder Singh has asked chief minister Parkash Singh Badal to clarify his stand on the matter since the Akalis form an alliance government with the BJP.
“Varun Gandhi has made remarks against Sikhs and Muslims. He is a candidate of the BJP, your ally. I would like you to clarify if you agree with those derogatory remarks against the two communities, and if not, what are you planning to do about it?” Amarinder said.
Seeking to corner the Akalis on the contentious issue, Amarinder said the Akalis must know that silence meant consent.SGPC office-bearers will discuss the matter with Sikh high priests, including the Akal Takht jathedar. SGPC general secretary Sukhdev Singh Bhaur said Varun’s remarks had hurt Sikh sentiments, but then so had the Congress action of nominating Sajjan Kumar and Jagdish Tytler for election.
The contents of Varun’s hate speech were highly objectionable and it amounts to insulting the collective pride of the Sikhs, the Dal’s Khalsa leaders said. Party secretary Kanwarpal Singh said Varun first targeted the Muslims and then the Sikhs to polarise voters.
He warned Varun not to test the patience of minorities by challenging their self-respect and urged Hindus not to support the likes of Varun, to maintain harmony among all religions.
Meanwhile, there are reports that Congress leaders have been collecting CDs containing Varun’s remarks against Sikhs for distribution in Punjab and other areas of Haryana, Delhi, UP and Rajasthan where there is a sizable Sikh population. The CDs were fetching Rs 5,000 per unit. Sources said the Congress would use the CDs to take political advantage and isolate the BJP from its allies.
