Special Report
Editorial
Op-Ed
Opinion
Columns

Politics
Literature
Music
Art & Culture
Sikh Religion
Rights
1984
Books
Education
Business

Entertainment
Lifestyle
Travel
Health
Heritage
Sports
Kids Corner

Panjab
India
Pakistan
South Asia
US of A
Canada
Asia-Pacific
UK
Europe
Middle East
Africa
World
 

Archives
Newsletter
Advertise

Obituaries

Feedback
Contact Us
About Us
Site Map

Badal gave 'em Red Lights, High Court waves red rag
WSN Network

CHANDIGARH: In a rare gesture of panthic sewa as he understands it, Parkash Singh Badal announced official permission for SGPC members to sport Red beacons atop their vehicles, a strange symbol of power and status in India. But it seems the Punjab and Haryana High Court saw it for what it really was -- a bribe in the worst way. Direct and public misuse of authority and resources.

The High Court has now stayed the notification issued by the Punjab government that had allowed red lights and the bench comprising Chief Justice Vijender Jain and Justice K.S. Ahluwalia also issued notice of motion to the state of Punjab and the SGPC through its president for February 4 for filing a reply to the issues raised in a writ petition. A notification in this regard was issued on November 22, 2007, by the Principal Secretary, Transport Department, Punjab.

The petition has been filed by Amritsar-based Vaneet Mahajan, vice-president of the AntiCorruption Morcha, a voluntary organisation. Why in the first place did the Akali Government and the SGPC allowed such a situation to develop wherein courts can find ways to interfere in affairs of Sikh religious body is not clear except for the simple explanation that Badal wanted to make happy the SGPC members before ensuring that his nominee sails through during the presidential polls.

Besides allowing the SGPC members red beacons, the government had also decided to provide them two official gunmen each. The benefits, the court was told, were unnecessary and a financial burden on a state that had been complaining of shortage of funds for development.  

30 January 2008
 

Bookmark with

Reddit    Yahoo     Furl    Delicious