Amritsar, Jul 21 (PTI) Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Tuesday appealed to the Centre to resolve the grievances of protesting students, alleging that force was used against them during their march towards Parliament.
Badal urged the government to engage with farmers over concerns related to the proposed India-US trade deal.
Addressing reporters here, Badal said the students’ issue should be handled with “love and care” instead of confrontation, describing it as an emotional matter affecting the entire country.
He also accused Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of adopting “double standards” by expressing solidarity with the protesting students at Jantar Mantar in Delhi while allegedly failing to act against recruitment examination irregularities and paper leak cases in Punjab.
Badal alleged that no concrete action had been taken over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Punjab Subordinate Services Selection Board (PSSSB), including the recent Pharmacy Officer Examination controversy.
He claimed these incidents contradicted the AAP government’s assertions of conducting “zero leak, merit-based” recruitments.
The SAD chief further alleged that the Punjab government had used force against various groups of protesters, including power utility employees and MGNREGA workers.
On the proposed India-US trade agreement, Badal urged the Centre to hold consultations with farmers, saying they feared the agreement could adversely affect India’s agricultural economy by increasing imports of cheaper agricultural and dairy products from the United States.
He also demanded that the proposed agreement be made public to enable farmers to assess its implications.
Badal announced that SAD would participate in the “Khalsa March” beginning on July 24 under the leadership of the Jathedar of Akal Takht on the occasion of Miri-Piri Diwas.
He also demanded the immediate release of pending dearness allowance of Punjab government employees, alleging that the AAP government was withholding the benefit despite court directions.
Condemning a recent sacrilege incident in Muktsar, Badal alleged that the administration had not taken action in the matter and criticised the state government over its handling of the issue. PTI VSD KSS KSS
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