A few days ago we had commented on the arbitrary and unlawful activities of the so-called saint Ram Rahim, saying how followers of this Sirsa-based Dera are fearlessly staging hooliganism with impunity in Punjab and Haryana. Since these dera followers are not being reined in effectively, they have mustered up the courage to attack even the Punjab finance minister.
The government has claimed that strict security arrangements have been put in place in the state, yet the passive performance of the administration came to the fore when these dera "premis" (followers) sprinkled petrol on Gidarbaha residence of state finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal and set fire to a bus parked outside his house.
Disturbing Law and Order
The incident took place in the night. The Mukatsar police rushed to the spot of the incident immediately on receipt of the information. The miscreants who carried out the incident came on a motorbike and set ablaze a private company bus, which is being run in the name of the Raghu Raj Transport Company. They sprayed petrol on two tyres of the bus and set them on fire. Later, on learning about the incident, the owners residing in the house put out the fire.
We are giving details of the incident because a few days ago followers of this hoax saint caused extensive damage to the public and government property but they had until then not assaulted any official or some administrative functionary. Now, these hooligans by damaging the private assets of the finance minister, tried to show that they are free to go ahead with their arbitrary activities at will. It is a clear challenge to the government and maintenance of law and order. Today, a minister has been targeted; tomorrow some other minister or official may face such an activity.
It is unfortunate that despite an Akali government in power, anti-Sikh elements, by targeting Sikhs, are exhibiting dirty demonstration of their strength. These elements should have been taken to task when they indulged in riot activities in Punjab by initiating stern action against them a few days earlier.
Provocative Acts
The government has arrested approximately 100 people, but even after that if these followers of the dera head continue to go ahead with their activity, then it clearly means that most severe action should have been taken against them there and then. If the government failed to control the situation, then the same conditions can develop in the state as it occurred in Nirankari.
The Nirankari incident also began with provocative acts against Sikhs, the consequences of which are widely known. On that occasion, the entire law and order in the state was absolutely disturbed. Sikhs felt insecure within their own home state. In case, the administration failed to rise to the occasion and if the dera followers were allowed to persist with their acts of violence against Sikhs then it would lead to terrible consequences in the days head.
Stringent Action Needed
It is worth mentioning that for lack of appropriate action against Dera followers that should have been taken much earlier; they have started misleading innocent people of rural areas, in addition to people in urban areas. They are carrying out their propaganda, especially among Sikhs. May be, a section of villagers are actually misled by them.
The Punjab Government should, therefore, lost no time to rein in these anti-Sikh elements. Tomorrow, certain other respected dignitaries can also be targeted. Before the conditions turn critical stringent action should be taken against them.
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