BJP leader urges Prime Minister to resolve issues concerning Sikhs

Days after Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi termed the attack on a temple in Canada as ‘deliberate’, a local BJP leader Inderjit Singh Basarke has urged the him to have a friendly approach towards Sikhs and resolve their long-standing issues.

In a communique to the PM, Basarke stated that the farmers have been agitating for a long time and their issues should be resolved on priority basis. He said the PM was in Punjab during the period of Emergency. So he was fully aware of the nature and temperament of Punjabis, especially the Sikhs, who were a peace loving community and complied with the law.

He said Punjab was an agricultural state with a predominantly Sikh population. “I wish to see the party in power in Punjab, but please allow me to say that it does not appear to be possible by annoying the Sikhs,” he said.

He demanded GST waiver on the purchase of tractors, agricultural equipment, pesticides, herbicides and fertilisers, besides subsidy on diesel for agricultural purposes to rejuvenate the farming sector. “The Sikhs are the people whose fathers and forefathers suffered irreparable loss of life and property at the time of the Partition. Hence, they deserve a special treatment. An announcement of the MSP for crops can be an important step to win their confidence.”

He urged the PM to rein in BJP leaders Ravneet Singh Bittu and Kangana Ranaut from airing statements against Sikhs.

The Sikhs are the people whose fathers and forefathers suffered irreparable loss of life and property at the time of the Partition. Hence, they deserve a special treatment. An announcement of the MSP for crops can be an important step to win their confidence. — Inderjit Singh Basarke, BJP leader