Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) chief Capt Amarinder Singh on Friday criticised the denial of voting rights to Sehajdhari Sikhs in the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) polls. Amarinder, who interacted with students outside the Punjabi University campus during the ‘Ru-baru’ (face to face) programme organised by the National Students Union of India (NSUI), said that it was “wrong” to deny Sehajdhari Sikhs voting rights in the elections.
Asked why his party does not contest SGPC polls, Amarinder said Congress was a national and secular party, which does not contest polls relating to religion. He, however, added that as a Sikh, he will oppose and vote against the Akali candidates.
The PCC chief fielded a volley of questions from students on issues like the economy, SGPC elections, employment generation, hereditary practice in politics, amnesty to Devinderpal Bhullar and others.
Claiming that student elections will be held in all universities and colleges in the state when Congress comes to power after next Assembly elections, Amarinder said that students had a right to participate in the democratic process and he fully supported their demand for holding elections in educational institutions.
Replying to a student who complained against inconvenience caused to the common people during VIP movements, Amarinder said: “I agree with you and I am also one of those whose movement causes inconvenience.” He added that this was probably done for security reasons.
Full Article: Wrong to deny voting rights to Sehajdhari Sikhs: Amarinder – Express India.