Award 'Panth Ratan Fakhar-e-qaum’ to Dr Manmohan Singh Ji and not to S. Prakash Singh Badal - 28/11/2011
29 November 2011
Giani Gurbachan Singh ji,
Jathedar, Akal Takht
Teja Singh Samundri Hall
Golden Temple Complex
Amritsar
Dear Sir,
Award 'Panth Ratan Fakhar-e-qaum’ to Dr Manmohan Singh Ji and not to S. Prakash Singh Badal
I write to express deep regret at the decision of the SGPC to award the current Chief Minister of Punjab, S. Prakash Singh Badal, with “Panth Ratan Fakhar-e-quam”. To many Sikhs worldwide this is an extremely upsetting decision, for if anyone has damaged Sikhism in recent years, it has been Chief Minister Badal, to many one of the biggest traitors of the Sikh race.
Not only has S. Prakash Singh Badal controlled the SGPC for far longer than any other Sikh, but he has undermined it in the process. It is no longer the independent body that it should be. Its functioning is now inferior, and it is sadly far from transparent. Under S. Prakash Singh Badal the SGPC has become an extension of his political party and does not even have an independent audit of its financial affairs.
No Sikh family has benefitted financially more from Punjab politics than the Badal family. When Punjab was burning they despatched Sukhbir Badal to the pleasures and safety of California. S. Prakash Singh Badal has always put his family first; the Sikh religion and the interests of Punjab are not his priorities.
Badal Sahib’s quest for power directly resulted in the deaths of thousands of Sikh youth in the 1980s and 1990s. Had he acted in the interests of Punjab he could have had a more constructive role in returning Punjab to peace.
Many around the world would consider S. Prakash Singh Badal to be the most corrupt Sikh there has ever been. If the SGPC still decides to confer this award on the Chief Minister even after a public outcry, I would make one suggestion. I would ask that S. Prakash Singh Badal visit the Akal Takhs and swear he has never made money from corruption. I would ask that he explain how his family have accrued their wealth over the years, if not from corruption. I would ask why he sent his son overseas when Punjab was burning. Why he is afraid of Sikhs overseas?
Sadly, S. Prakash Singh Badal has been of service only to his family. He has sacrificed Punjab and Sikhism for his personal achievements. In light of this I strongly request the SGPC to review the decision to award this honour to S. Prakash Singh Badal.
There are far better Sikhs than Badal Sahib, who genuinely deserve such an award. Foremost among these is Dr Manmohan Singh. I trust you will give serious consideration to this suggestion.
Yours faithfully
Jassi Khangura, MLA
Halqa Qila Raipur
