New Delhi, December 3
The Union Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal general secretary, Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, today met the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and apprised him of the “harassment” meted out to SAD president Parkash Singh Badal and his son and Rajya Sabha MP Sukhbir Singh Badal in Ropar jail.
He also met the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr L.K. Advani, and the Rajya Sabha Chairman, Mr Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, in this regard.
The Political Affairs Committee of SAD has also sought time from the President. It is also planning to raise the issue during the current session of Parliament.
An SGPC member, Mr Harinderpal Singh, told newspersons that the state government had appointed an administrator to look after the affairs of the Chief Khalsa Diwan, which runs several schools and colleges.
Condemning the move as a direct interference in the religious affairs of the Sikhs, he said the government was trying to control the institution.
Earlier, the Delhi unit of the SAD also condemned Mr Badal’s judicial remand. Its chief Avtar Singh Hit in his reaction to the move did not rule out protests in Delhi.
