• TERMS THAT PUNJAB WAS FIGHTING WORLD’S WAR AGAINST DRUGS
• REITERATES THAT SAD-BJP ALLIANCE WAS EVERLASTING
• LAUNCHES TELECAST OF SRI SEHAJ PAATH ON CHARHDIKALA TIME TV

NewZNew (Amritsar) : Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today categorically said that the scheduled protest of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on January 5 must not be misconstrued against any government agency rather it was a dharna against drugs menace in the state.

Interacting with the media persons on the sidelines of launch of telecast of Sri Sehaj Paath on Charhdikala Time TV here today, the Chief Minister said that the proposed protest of the SAD was against the curse of drugs in the state and not against the BSF or any other government agency. He said that it was a fact that the state was not only fighting the nation’s but world’s war against drugs as Punjab was on the transit route of the drugs supplied across the globe from international border. Mr. Badal said that rather than helping the state to confront this crisis some forces inimical to the interests of Punjab were hell bent upon tarnishing its image by branding the brave Punjabis as drug peddlers.

The Chief Minister said that the SAD has a glorious track record of struggling for safeguarding the interests of the state so at this crucial time the party has decided to wage a war against drugs. He said that the state government has focused on cutting the supply line of drugs by nabbing the drug peddlers and putting them behind the bars. Likewise, Mr. Badal said that a network of drug de-addiction and rehabilitation centers have been set up to detoxify the drug addicts and enabling them to live a life a dignity and pride.

The Chief Minister said that the curse of drugs was the biggest problem faced by the country in general and state in particular. He said that the only solution for checking this menace was to totally cut down the supply line of drugs both from within the country and from abroad. Mr. Badal said that serious efforts must be initiated for sealing the border apart from refraining the states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and others to openly sell drugs like Poppy husk.

Terming that the SAD- BJP alliance has always stood the test of time, the Chief Minister said that the SAD-BJP alliance was everlasting and both the parties should not be seen as different from each other. He said that time-tested alliance between both the parties was a unique phenomenon of the Indian democratic system, which has passed every litmus test in last few decades. He said that the relationship between both the alliance partners was very strong, impeccable and cordial because it has been time and again cemented with mutual affection and understanding.

Replying to another query, the Chief Minister said that the Union government must intervene for securing the release of Sikh prisoners who were languishing in various jails even after the completion of their term. Mr. Badal said that he had already taken up this matter with the respective state governments and the centre for releasing these prisoners.

Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated a program on Charhdikala Time TV for telecasting Sri Sehaj Paath of Sri Guru Grant Sahib to the people across the globe. The Paath would be recited in the melodious voice of former Granthi of Shri Harmandir Sahib Giani Jagtar Singh. Jathedaar of Shri Akal Takht Sahib Singh Sahib Giani Gurbachan Singh performed the Ardaas on this occassion and presented a video CDs of Sehaj Path prepared by Shri Guru Granth Sahib Institute Melbourne to the Chief Minister.

Lauding the effort of Chahrikala Time TV, the Chief Minister appreciated the effort of Telecasting the Sehaj Paath as a unique service, through which Sikhism could be propagate and Sikhs could be motivated by the pure recitation of Gurbaani. He said that this effort would be written on the golden pages of Sikh History.

The member of the Media Advisory Committee of Rajya Sabha in the Parliament of India and the Chairman of Chardikala Time TV Mr. Jagjit Singh Dardi said that the channel would telecast the Paath daily between 10.30 to 11.00 am to the Sikhs across the globe so that they could take advantage from the correctly pronounced Baani. This telecast could be viewed on the Multi-media through Youtube, Facebook, Mobile Phones and Twitter etc.

Earlier, Jathedar Sri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Gurbachan Singh ji performed the ‘Ardas’ prior to the launch of Shri Sehaj Paath.

Prominent amongst other present on the occasion included Rajya Sabha MP Mr. Balwinder Singh Bhunder.