Talhan (Jalandhar), June 16
Terming the Dalit-Jat clashes at this village as an “unfortunate and unprecedented phenomena” in Punjab, actor Sunil Dutt today said he got “extremely tormented” to see Punjabis fighting each other.

Sunil Dutt said he had seen the partition of the country and riots in Godhra, but, what had disturbed him the most was the sectarian clashes in Punjab. “It has never happened in Punjab, which has been a land of peace,” said Mr Sunil Dutt, adding that he had come to the village as a “soldier of peace”.

Lauding the role of Punjabis for the reputation they had earned in India and abroad for being a hard working class, Sunil Dutt said he never expected that any such thing would happen in a state which was known all over for unity and amity among its people.  “I am proud of being a part of you. I know that the blood of Punjabis is warm, but my advice is that please get annoyed over right things. Use your immense energy in positive things as you have been doing in the past. I was abroad when I learnt all this which really disturbed me,” said an emotional looking Sunil Dutt. “I wish that Punjabis work for constructive things and do not get involved in any such thing which brings a bad name to them. Sectarian violence always brings along bad name for the whole community. Look at the name and fame you have earned within the country and abroad,” he observed while interacting with a group of residents of the village in Talhan gurdwara.

Sunil Dutt, who was accompanied by Mr Balbir Singh, MP, Ms. Gurkanwal Kaur, the MLA of the area, also visited Sri Guru Ravidass Gurdwara in the village and met Dalit residents after visiting their localities in the village.

Earlier talking to mediapersons, Mr Dutt supported the “healing touch” policy of the J&K Chief Minister, Mr Mufti Mohammed Syed, adding that the policy could effectively remove terrorism from the troubletorn state.

He said he felt what such a policy can do in removal of terrorism after he undertook a “Sadhbhavna Yatra” in Punjab in 1987, during which he was even welcomed by militants. “Such a policy can also be helpful in solving the problem in the valley,” he added.

He also welcomed the move of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in offering hand of friendship to Pakistan adding that mutual sincere efforts could restore peace in South-East Asia.

Replying to a question on growing influence of the underworld in the film industry, Mr Dutt said the phenomena was everywhere to be seen, but, media had raked up the “non-issue” unnecessarily. He also said he had full faith in the judiciary, but, however, refused to comment whether his son Sanjay Dutt was innocent.

AMRITSAR (OC): Mr Sunil Dutt, MP, while speaking in the context of communal violence that ripped Talhan village recently said the unity and integrity of the country was in danger.