No revival of militancy in Punjab: Shinde

[Azaad]

Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde today made it clear that recent incidents triggered by pro-Khalistan elements cannot be seen as a “revival of militancy” in Punjab. He, however, said the Central Government could not “interfere” in the matters of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), which has okayed the construction of a memorial at the Golden Temple complex to mark Operation Bluestar.

To a question on attempts to revive militancy in Punjab and the challenge it posed, Shinde, who was addressing a press conference, said: “There is information that there are some instances (of Punjab militant activity) not only in the state but also abroad. We are monitoring it.” However, it could not be termed revival of militancy, he added.

On the upcoming memorial at the Golden Temple complex to mark Operation Bluestar and if the Home Ministry had any objection to it, Shinde said: “Some institutions are doing that. We do not want to override their rights. It is not a question of matter of objection or no objection. It is a matter of rights given to them under the Constitution.” He clarified that by “institutions” he meant the SGPC.

Experts on Sikh matters cited Section 144 of the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925, which limits the “government interference in gurdwaras”, as the basis for the Home Minister “rights under the Constitution” comment.

On why he could not object to the memorial, Shinde said: “I do not want to overstep the rights (of the SGPC)…. I leave it to them. It is their (Sikh) institution. We cannot interfere unless someone raises an objection in court.”

Shinde, without naming the SGPC, said: “They must understand that the country has been hurt in the past. That is why the other day, on a visit to Amritsar, I had advised them to ‘self-introspect’.”

On the possibility of a common denominator between the militant groups in Kashmir and Punjab, Shinde said: “There was some information that Kashmir and Punjab groups were in communication with each other.”

He said he would visit Kashmir to take part in a meeting soon. Besides, he would also visit Jammu along with border posts. On providing security to Army and police personnel who took part in Operation Bluestar and other anti-militant activities, Shinde said it was obligatory of the police to review the security of such people and give them protection.

[Singh559]

What a rare sight - some sense is spoken by a politician.

[ladli-fauj]

in other news khalistan zindabad, ak 47 wale zindabad, wake up youth up punjab lol http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1Vz5YxJd6I&feature=plcp

[chatanga]

What a rare sight - some sense is spoken by a politician.

or a politician who doesnt want to stir up a hornets nest.

The govt know that the Sikhs are already suspicious of them, so if they interfered in this, it would look very bad on the govt.

[Singh559]

or a politician who doesnt want to stir up a hornets nest.

The govt know that the Sikhs are already suspicious of them, so if they interfered in this, it would look very bad on the govt.

True.