Repeated paroles to dera chief Ram Raheem spreading communal disharmony: SAD's Harsimrat Badal
Chandigarh, January 30: Senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Monday alleged that repeated paroles to convicted 'rapist' and Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim by ruling dispensation were spreading communal disharmony in the region.
SAD leader Harsimrat Badal, while giving her views at the all-party meeting on the eve of the Budget session of Parliament, said, “There should be one law for all”.
She alleged that the select manner in which paroles and remissions were being granted to rapists and murderers was disturbing. “The Sikh community is hurt that while all this is happening, the commitment made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the community on the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak Dev Ji in 2019 to free all Sikh detainees (Bandi Singhs) has not been implemented till now," she said.
The SAD leader alleged that the community was questioning why a rapist had been given repeated paroles after every few months while Bandi Singhs had been incarcerated for up to 30 years without parole, even after the completion of their jail terms. An impression had gained ground that the preferential treatment being given to Gurmeet Ram Rahim was to take political advantage in elections.
She said the manner in which Gurmeet Ram Rahim was holding satsangs virtually also indicated to this effect. “This move has the capacity to derail the Beti Padhao, Beti Bachao initiative, besides sending a wrong message in civil society”, the Bathinda MP added.
Speaking on the issue of the Union Government’s initiative to seek renegotiation of the Indus Water Treaty, Harsimrat Kaur Badal said, “All water agreements between Punjab and other states, including Rajasthan and Haryana, should be reviewed in the same manner”.
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- With inputs from our correspondent
