“Secularism and Socialism no longer exist in India,” says Prakash Singh Badal

When questioned if the Delhi violence was similar to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, Badal said it was unfortunate and saddening

New Delhi: Reacting to the Delhi violence Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) supremo Parkash Singh Badal said Secularism and socialism no longer exist in India.

Badal, a decades-long ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), described the Delhi violence as “unfortunate”.

While addressing media Badal said, “Peace and brotherhood are our necessity,”. “There are three main ideas enshrined in our constitution: secularism, socialism, and democracy. Today there is no secularism nor any socialism. The rich people are getting richer, the poor are becoming poorer. However, democracy is present only at two levels – one is parliamentary elections and the other is state elections. Rest, it can’t be found anywhere either.”

When questioned if the Delhi violence was similar to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, Badal said it was unfortunate and saddening. “All have to sit together and solve the problems. It’s my personal belief that once elections are over, the ruling party and the opposition should work together,”.

Badal had visited the sector-17 police station in Chandigarh where Akali Dal MLAs including former minister Bikram Singh Majithia were lodged after being detained on Friday.

The SAD legislators had gathered outside Punjab finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal’s residence in the morning and protested against the state’s Congress government for “neglecting” farmer’s issues. The agitating SAD leaders were accompanied by the family members of farmers who had committed suicide because of agricultural debts.

The SAD MLAs had blocked the entrance of Manpreet Badal’s residence, virtually keeping the minister under house arrest on a day he was scheduled to present the 2020-21 state budget. As a result, the House had to be adjourned for 20 minutes.

The Cabinet Minister Brahm Mohindra said that SAD MLAs had involved in the breach of privileges by preventing Manpreet Badal from reaching the assembly. He moved a resolution on this, prompting Speaker Rana KP Singh to refer the matter to the special privileges committee of the House.