Bikram Singh Majithia asks CM to register case against Harpal Singh for hurting religious sentiments
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today described the suspension of school teacher Harpal Singh who had locked the doors of the Verka cremation ground to deny the last rites to renowned Ragi and Padam Shri Bhai Nirmal Singh as too little too late. He demanded that Harpal should get sacked from government service and a case under Section 295-A be registered against him for hurting religious sentiments.
In a letter to the chief minister, former minister Bikram Singh Majithia said the immediate dismissal of Harpal Singh was required as he had contravened Rule 5 of the Government Employees (Conduct) Rules 1966 by taking part in political activities. He said due action should also be taken against Harpal for absenting himself from duty and obstructing government employees from performing their official duties. He also demanded that all pay accrued to Harpal after he joined politics be recovered from him.
Bikram Majithia also requested the chief minister to institute a separate inquiry to ascertain how Harpal Singh was appointed as an office-bearer of the Congress party as well as go into instances when he misused his wife’s position as a Councillor. He said he hoped the chief minister would understand that Harpal had not only disrespected a renowned Ragi who was a Padam Shri awardee but was also a threat to peace and communal harmony.
He said the school teacher’s actions had brought disrepute to the chief minister as well as Punjabis and that a clear-cut message should be sent out that no one was above the law.
Also Read | Punjab tally rises to 158 after Mohali, Pathankot, Jalandhar and Patiala report new cases
The SAD leader said it was unfortunate that the government had taken belated action against Harpal Singh only after there was an uproar by the Sikh community and various Ragi Jathas and Associations. He said it was this reason why the suspension was being seen as a diversionary tactic and demanded immediate exemplary action against the school teacher to assuage the hurt feelings of the entire community.
-PTC News
