CM rejects separate state demand
Says Vedanti should think before uttering such remarks
01 May 2008 Hindustantimes Chandigarh Pg 02
CHIEF MINISTER Parkash Singh Badal today rejected the demand for a separate Sikh state.
He was reacting to a statement given by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti at a function in New York recently in which he had said that the demand for Khalistan as an "independent Sikh homeland" stayed.
Asked to comment, Badal said it was not the right thing to talk about at this stage when the priorities for the country were different. "He (Vedanti) should think before giving such remarks," he added.
Sikhs and Punjab are a part of India, the Chief Minister said.
Badal was in Patiala today in connection with the opening function of the two-day Sarab Hind Punjabi Conference.
Earlier, in his address, he assured full support for the development of Punjabi language. The government, he said, was coming up with an ordinance by which Punjabi would be made compulsory in all schools up to Class 10th. "The resolution has already been approved in the Assembly and would become a law soon," he said.
Talking about Punjab's contribution of wheat in the Central pool, Badal said the Union Agriculture Minister had demanded 80 lakh tonne from Punjab. "I know farmers are not going to get additional procurement price for the extra contribution but it is our duty to support the national interest. Punjab would always remain the food bowl and sword arm of the country."
He also formally launched the official website of Punjabi University in Punjabi and a Punjabi search engine
Source http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/Web/HTPunjab/Article/2008/05/01/002/01_05_2008_002_012.jpg
http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/artMailDisp.aspx?article=01_05_2008_002_012&typ=0&pub=722
He was reacting to a statement given by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti at a function in New York recently in which he had said that the demand for Khalistan as an "independent Sikh homeland" stayed.
Asked to comment, Badal said it was not the right thing to talk about at this stage when the priorities for the country were different. "He (Vedanti) should think before giving such remarks," he added.
Sikhs and Punjab are a part of India, the Chief Minister said.
Badal was in Patiala today in connection with the opening function of the two-day Sarab Hind Punjabi Conference.
Earlier, in his address, he assured full support for the development of Punjabi language. The government, he said, was coming up with an ordinance by which Punjabi would be made compulsory in all schools up to Class 10th. "The resolution has already been approved in the Assembly and would become a law soon," he said.
Talking about Punjab's contribution of wheat in the Central pool, Badal said the Union Agriculture Minister had demanded 80 lakh tonne from Punjab. "I know farmers are not going to get additional procurement price for the extra contribution but it is our duty to support the national interest. Punjab would always remain the food bowl and sword arm of the country."
He also formally launched the official website of Punjabi University in Punjabi and a Punjabi search engine
Source http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/Web/HTPunjab/Article/2008/05/01/002/01_05_2008_002_012.jpg
http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/artMailDisp.aspx?article=01_05_2008_002_012&typ=0&pub=722
No comments:
Post a Comment