BJP warns SAD(A) president Simranjit Singh Mann not to rake up Khalistan issue

CHANDIGARH: Taking strong exception to SAD(A) president Simranjit Singh Mann's demand that the issue of Khalistan should be on the agenda of the proposed "Sarbat Khalsa", BJP today said no one should be allowed to vitiate the peace, harmony and brotherhood of Punjabis.

Party's state unit president Kamal Sharma condemned Mann for making the demand, and said it was a desperate attempt by Mann to get political mileage by disturbing peace of Punjab.

He said BJP has no objection in holding of "Sarbat Khalsa" or any other platform deemed fit by Sikh organisations to discuss and resolve their religious affairs but no one should be allowed to vitiate the peace, harmony and brotherhood of Punjabis.

Warning Mann to desist from indulging in such anti-national activities, the BJP leader said Punjab has returned to normalcy after so many sacrifices made by people during the black era of terrorism and BJP will not allow Mann to again push the state towards shadows of darkness.

Sharma expressed happiness that majority of the Sikh leaders present in the meeting at Jalandhar yesterday cold-shouldered the demand put forth by Mann.

"BJP appreciates the stand taken by the different Sikh organisations to reject the irrelevent demand of Mann," he said.

The BJP president urged the state government to deal strongly with elements like Mann and keep a watch on his activities, so that he does not succeed in his nefarious designs.