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Chandigarh (June 02, 2010): The Punjab and Haryana High Court after hearing the arguments of counsel of Shiromani Akali Dal (Panch Pardhani) has issued a show cause notice to Punjab Government and adjourned the hearing of petition seeking judicial relief against police crackdown on Panch Pardhni to sabotage ‘Holocaust Memorial March’ till 4 June. As per information provided by Harpal Singh Cheema, Secretary General of SAD (Panch Pardhani) the court has asked the government to show cause that why Panch Pardhani should not be allowed to hold their procession democratically? In about an hour long argument Advocate Ravinder Singh Bains, a renowned Human Rights Lawyer and counsel of Panch Pardhani, argued that it is a democratic and constitutional right of their client to hold the procession peacefully to mark their historic days. He also referred to many judicial precedents to support his argument.
On the other hand Additional Advocate General Mr. Grewal, while presenting the case from State’s side raised objections to Panch Pardhani’s March. He argued that these Sikh organizations favour the ideology of “Khalistan” and their procession may create Law and Order problems. But the court was not convinced with his argument and asked the government to come with solid grounds to oppose the march on June 4, failing which the court may grant the relief sought by SAD (Panch Pardhnai).
It is notable that first such procession was under taken by party led by former ultra Daljeet Singh Bittu, who is currently lodged in Amritsar jail allegedly for political reasons, in 2005 from Akal Takht ( Amritsar ) to Takht Kesgarh Sahib (Anandpur) on the eve of Holla Mahalla. Second Bandi Chhor Khasla March was held in March 2005 from Gurudwara Zafarnama, near Dina Kangar to Takht Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo) on Vaisakhi. Recently, in February 2008 SAD (Panch Pardhani) held a two day march from Fatehgarh Sahib to Sri Darbar Sahib ( Amritsar ) to mark birth anniversary of Bhagat Ravidas Ji. Last year “Holocaust Memorial March” was held on 5 June from Tarn Taran Sahib to Darbar Sahib Amritsar.
“We have so far organized about a dozen major processions in Punjab since 2005; all remained peaceful.” claimed Jasbir Singh Kandur, Organizing Secretary of Panch Pardhani, who alleged that political motivations have led the ruling party to ban this march.
On the other hand Additional Advocate General Mr. Grewal, while presenting the case from State’s side raised objections to Panch Pardhani’s March. He argued that these Sikh organizations favour the ideology of “Khalistan” and their procession may create Law and Order problems. But the court was not convinced with his argument and asked the government to come with solid grounds to oppose the march on June 4, failing which the court may grant the relief sought by SAD (Panch Pardhnai).
It is notable that first such procession was under taken by party led by former ultra Daljeet Singh Bittu, who is currently lodged in Amritsar jail allegedly for political reasons, in 2005 from Akal Takht ( Amritsar ) to Takht Kesgarh Sahib (Anandpur) on the eve of Holla Mahalla. Second Bandi Chhor Khasla March was held in March 2005 from Gurudwara Zafarnama, near Dina Kangar to Takht Damdama Sahib (Talwandi Sabo) on Vaisakhi. Recently, in February 2008 SAD (Panch Pardhani) held a two day march from Fatehgarh Sahib to Sri Darbar Sahib ( Amritsar ) to mark birth anniversary of Bhagat Ravidas Ji. Last year “Holocaust Memorial March” was held on 5 June from Tarn Taran Sahib to Darbar Sahib Amritsar.
“We have so far organized about a dozen major processions in Punjab since 2005; all remained peaceful.” claimed Jasbir Singh Kandur, Organizing Secretary of Panch Pardhani, who alleged that political motivations have led the ruling party to ban this march.
