Wary of public ire, minister gives Punjab Day celebration a miss

PATIALA: Amid instances of SAD leaders and SGPC members either being shooed away or shying away from public glare, Punjab cabinet minister Surjit Singh Rakhra and chairman of Punjab Tourism Development Board Surjit Singh Ablowal also gave a miss to 49th Punjab Day celebrations organized by Punjab languages department at its head office in Patiala on Sunday.
Punjab Day is celebrated by the state government every year to mark the reorganization of Punjab in 1966. As creation of Punjab in 1966 is also seen as a fillip for development of Punjabi language, celebrations every year are anchored by the Punjab languages department, which is currently being headed by Akali leader Surjit Singh Rakhra, minister of higher education.
Whereas Rakhra was invited as chief guest to mark the event, Ablowal was to preside over the function. But both the leaders didn't turn up citing other social engagements. This even as the banners and large-sized flex boards at the venue bore their names.
Director of Punjab languages department Chetan Singh, could not be contacted despite repeated attempts. Sources said the cabinet minister, who didn't even inform the department of his inability to attend the event, was busy in a social ceremony in his constituency. In the absence of Akali leaders, the function was presided over by president of Sikh Budhijeevi (intellectual) Council Baldev Singh Balluana.
On October 23, SAD leaders had to face the wrath of public at the bhog of Akhand Path in Kapurthala, when protesters stormed the gurdwara after the completion of the function. A few dozen protestors from different Sikh organizations, including SAD (Amritsar), had gathered outside the gurdwara. They were stopped on the road by the police which had barricaded the road leading to the gurdwara and only Akali leaders and workers were allowed to go inside.
Similarly, SAD leaders have been wary of visiting grain markets owing to the farmers' protests. Last week, agitated farmers confronted chief parliamentary secretary Parkash Chand Garg and senior SAD leader Darbara Singh Guru during their visits in the mandis of Sangrur and Bhadaur on Wednesday.