Punjab Deputy Chief MInister Sukhbir Singh Badal on Saturday rued the alleged deliberate non-interest of the Congress-led UPA government in putting pressure on the French government to lift the ban on Sikhs wearing turbans.
Speaking to mediapersons in Jalalabad, Badal said the recent statement of the French external affairs minister after his meet with his Indian counterpart, reflected the arrogant and stubborn attitude of France, which was ignoring sentiments of the Sikh community and taking shelter behind the plea of religious symbols.
Saying that turban was not a religious symbol but a part of the Sikh psyche, without which, no Sikh was complete, Sukhbir said that every one has the freedom to practice his religion according to its norms in a democracy and French government should not create undue hurdles. When the US, the oldest democracy, and the UK has no problem with the turban, why was the French government targeting the Sikhs on this issue?”, he asked.
Slamming the UPA government for not properly taking up the issue, Badal said that if the French government was not agreeing to India’s pleas, it should exert diplomatic pressure on France to fall in line.
Asked about framing of charges by the CBI court against A Raja and others in the 2G scam, Badal claimed that SAD had been saying for long that the UPA was creating a record by emerging as the most corrupt government in the planet.
Earlier in the first day, Badal held Sangat Darshans in 24 panchayats in villages including Dhani Kehar Singh, Arani Wala Sheikh Subhan, Ghantian Wali Jattan, Tahli Wala Baddla, Jourhki Kankar Wali, Chakk Pakhi, Hans Khas, Nukerian and Jand Wala Bhimeshah.
News Source: India Express
