Haryana govt action "provocative, unconstitutional": Parkash Singh Badal

CHANDIGARH: Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today described the Haryana government's action of getting a law enacted to set up a separate body for managing the affairs of Gurdwaras in that state as "provocative and a brazen interference in the religious affairs of the Sikh community".

Punjab Chief Minister, in a statement here, said, "this action is not only blatantly unconstitutional but motivated by a desire to fulfill the long standing design of Congress to dilute and weaken the spiritual, social and political strength of the community by seeking to encourage divisions."

Badal appealed to the Centre to intervene in the matter, saying the Haryana government's action has not only created a "constitutional crisis by openly encroaching upon the jurisdiction of the Parliament but will also hurt the religious sentiments of Sikhs all over the world."

He said that he simply could not understand the "desperation" of Bhupinder Singh Hooda to tread upon the Sikh religious territory while his mandate as the chief minister is to function as a secular head of government.

Badal also said the neighbouring state government should have shown sensitivity towards the potential threat which its action poses to the hard earned atmosphere of peace and communal harmony in the region.