Paramjit Singh Sarna backs Sukhbir Badal as dornerstone of SAD, defends Rahul Gandhi on Sikh remarks

AMRITSAR: Former Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president Paramjit Singh Sarna has endorsed SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal as the party’s cornerstone, defended Congress leader Rahul Gandhi from criticism over his statement about Sikhs in the US, and targeted Manjinder Singh Sirsa of BJP for allegedly betraying Sikhism.

Calling SAD and Sukhbir as two sides of the same coin, Sarna, who had earlier formed SAD (Delhi) but later merged it with Sukhbir-led SAD, on Wednesday said, “SAD and Sukhbir are inseparable; if one side is SAD, the other is Sukhbir. If his presidentshp is upheld, SAD will be preserved, but if he falls, how will SAD survive?”

Justifying Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi’s controversial statement in the US about Sikhs, Sarna argued that there was nothing wrong with his remarks.

He pointed out that Rahul had read in many newspapers about Sikh youth being asked to remove their “kada” and turbans, yet the DSGMC had not taken any action.

Sarna urged the Akal Takht to take note of the issue and address it accordingly. Regarding ex- Akali-turned-BJP leader Manjinder Sirsa, Sarna said, “Those who have committed treason against the Sikh religion should be punished and condemned.”

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