Dy C M Planning Casinos In Panjab

[njkhalis]

After making the people of Panjab addicted to liquor, drugs, dividing them into different deras; now are trying to make the state a gambling den.

http://timesofindia....ow/15337885.cms

[VanHelsingh]

One of the final nails in the coffin. The thing is nobody will be forcing anybody into these casinos, but you can guarantee they will be attract the kind of people who've fallen into liquor and drugs with ease.

[Jonny101]

What a disgrace Sukhbir is. Instead of tackling alcohol, drugs and unemployment he is now going to add another problem in our long list of problems. If Sant Samaj carries any sort of influence on the Badal family, now is the time to raise their voice.

[Singh, Mahan]

News article in The Times of India

Source: http://timesofindia....ow/15351388.cms

Punjab's casino dream draws flak

Amritsar: Deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal's proposal to set up Punjab's own Las Vegas near Ludhiana has evoked sharp criticism from several Sikh organizations including the ones based in the US.

Las Vegas, an American city, is famous for its casinos, hotels, bars and associated entertainment. Badal has proposed to set up casinos in Ludhiana.

American Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (AGPC) president JS Hoti told the TOI on Saturday that opening of casinos in Punjab was an anti- Sikh decision. "Gambling is prohibited in Sikh religion and Sukhbir should not go ahead with the proposal," he said. Sikh Rehat Maryda (Sikh code of conduct) published by Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee requires that 'a Sikh shall not steal, form dubious associations or engage in gambling'.

Opposing the government's proposal to set up gambling dens in Punjab, coordinator AGPC, Pritpal Singh said that the committee will soon write to Akal Takht Jathedar and urge it to take notice of the move which is against the Sikh ethos and principles. He pointed out the Sikh Gurus had clearly stated that gambling was the worst habit that Sikhs should never take to. "This will also destroy Punjab's rich culture and would prompt people to make easy money by gambling," he said.

AGPC also plans to launch a worldwide movement among Sikh Diaspora if Badal goes ahead with introducing casino culture in Punjab. He said if the government went ahead with its plan in the name of generating revenue then they would oppose the move at every front and build international consensus against it among Sikhs. "The casino culture will create more ills and this is not acceptable to the Sikh society,''said Pritpal.

He said Punjab was already facing the menace of drug addiction. Instead of protecting youth from falling to the ill, the government has chosen to introduce more ills, he lamented.

Spokespersons of Sikh radical organization Dal Khalsa, Kanwarpal Singh said, "What else can we expect from a person who had showcased semi- nude dance before opening of Kabaddi matches last year?" eom

.

.

News article in The Hindustan times

Source: http://www.hindustan...le1-908122.aspx

AGPC opposes Sukhbir's Casino proposal, calls it anti-sikh

American Gurudwara Parbhandhak Committee (AGPC) reacted strongly on Saturday against the proposal of Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal to open Casinos in Punjab.

AGPC head JS Hothi and its convener Dr Pritpal Singh said in a joint statement that the move is `anti-Sikh'

and awful for the state of Punjab as the gambling is prohibited in the Sikh religion and Sukhbir should not go ahead with this proposal.

They were referring to a news item in an English daily, regarding the move by the state government to introduce Casino culture.

"This move is condemnable. We will soon be writing to Akal Takht Jathedar to take notice of this move as it is against the Sikh ethos and principles,'' they said, adding that the Sikh Gurus had clearly stated that the gambling is the worst habit which no Sikh should indulge in.

They also said that if Sukhbir goes ahead with this proposal to generate revenue, they would oppose the move at every front.

"The casino culture will bring more ills which are not acceptable to the Sikh society,'' said the US leaders, adding that the state of Punjab was facing the menace of drugs addiction and the political leaders are failing to protect the youth from falling to the evil and they are introducing more evils, which must be opposed.

[Singh, Mahan]

U.K. Wale should ask the Sikh Channel or the Sangat TV to do a discussion show on this issue and give the Badals some idea of what people think of their proposal. A free discussion on this issue is not likely to take place in Punjab. Media is under their control.

[zoltansingh]

Casinos provide a great opportnity to launder ill-gotten wealth.

[VanHelsingh]

Casinos provide a great opportnity to launder ill-gotten wealth.