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The Rediff Interview/ Parkash Singh Badal

'Tohra is welcome to come...'

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal will take stock of the political developments, particularly in the Akali Dal, only after April 15. The more he tries to avoid a confrontation with the former SGPC chief Gurcharan Singh Tohra, the more he is getting embroiled in a controversy.

Despite provocative statements made by his bete noire, Badal has kept his cool and monitoring the day-to-day progress of the tercentenary celebrations of the Khalsa Panth. Since April 7, Badal has been camping in Anandpur Sahib and is virtually running the state from there.

In an interview with Onkar Singh, the chief minister said the state government has so far spent about Rs 190 million on the celebrations, but that he has lost count of the men and officers who have been deployed on 'official' duty to ensure peaceful completion of the celebrations.

Tohra has alleged that while Guru Gobind Singh sacrificed his sons to save the Khalsa Panth, you have sacrificed the entire Panth for your son.

At the moment I am not answering any political question. Let April 15 come, and I will be able to answer all your questions.

Isn't it true that your entire government is being run from Anandpur Sahib?

You should realise the importance of the tercentenary celebrations. You should not be asking such questions because when you are involved in a massive management programme like this one, you have to deploy all your resources to ensure that things are going in the proper direction. I have been camping here since April 7 to personally oversee the smooth conduct of the huge efforts that have gone into it.

Even if I had been in Chandigarh I would have been doing the same thing. It is a matter of great pride, not every now and then do you get a chance to celebrate a centenary. We are lucky that we are celebrating the tercentenary of the Khalsa Panth.

How much money have you spent on the celebrations so far?

We have so far spent Rs 19 million out of Rs 1 billion sanctioned by the Government of India for this purpose. In addition to that we have spent from our own resources. I would not be able to give the exact figures right now because we are still in the midst of organising the celebrations. We hope the rest of the money promised by the Centre would be released soon.

Why did you raise the demand for setting up a military academy at Anandpur Sahib?

Since our tenth Guru, Gobind Singh Sahib had imparted training in martial arts and raised the Khalsa Panth as a martial community, it was proper for me to ask for the setting up of a military academy on the lines of the ones at Dehradun and Khadakvasla, at Anandpur Sahib. I am happy that Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee accepted our demand on the spot and directed the Union defence ministry to do the needful.

Why did you decide to paint the entire Anandpur Sahib in white instead of any other colour?

It was my idea, because white is the symbol of peace. It looks good to the eyes and gives you a soothing feeling.

Why are you bent on a confrontation with Tohra?

Who says I am bent on having a confrontation with the former SGPC chief? I have been saying all along that I am willing to go to his house and request him with folded hands to attend our function and participate in the tercentenary celebrations of the Khalsa Panth. But he seems adamant. What can I do in that situation?

You say you do not want to confront Tohra and yet you removed him as SGPC chief?

(Smiles, then laughs loudly) I don't want to get provoked till April 15. Let the celebrations be over, then we shall deal with it.

Tohra has been describing your celebrations as a Sarkari one?

It is a matter of perception. If he had not been removed he would have been very much part of these celebrations. But since he is no longer there, he feels he has been removed unnecessarily. He had been president of the SGPC for more than 25 years and he should know what to do in a religious function. He is welcome if he wants to come.

The Rediff Interviews

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