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Talks with Badal: Shanta briefs PM
Ravi S Singh
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 25
Former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh and in charge of Punjab BJP affairs Shanta Kumar today briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the discussions he had with Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal meant to cool tempers in Punjab and persuade him not to precipitate matters in the wake of the crisis created by the formation of Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC).

Shanta Kumar was assigned the task by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to discuss the matter with Badal and convince him that the Centre was trying to resolve the crisis which has snowballed into a major controversy.

Shanta Kumar was specifically asked to assure Badal that the Centre would find a way out of the situation created following creation of a gurdwara body through a legislative Act of the Haryana Assembly.

Sources reveal that Shanta Kumar said to Modi that Badal’s response to his telephonic discussion was positive and the latter assured him that he would ensure that the proposed agitation did not go out of hand.

Badal is learnt to have thanked the Union government and the BJP for being sensitive to the concerns of the Sikhs.

Shanta Kumar is also understood to have told Modi that Badal wanted that the ruffled sentiments of Sikhs on account of the creation of the HSGMC should be assuaged soon.

Badal's response

Sources say Shanta Kumar told Modi that Badal’s response to his discussion over the phone was positive
Badal said he would ensure that he would not let the proposed agitation get out of hand
Badal is learnt to have thanked the Union Government for being sensitive to the concerns of the Sikhs
Badal has reportedly demanded that the crisis be resolved soon as it would be difficult for him to reason with the agitated Sikh Panth for long