Punjab BJP upset over Akali Dal boycotting RSS function to mark 350th birth year of Guru Gobind Singh

State BJP chief and Union minister Vijay Sampla, who also attended the function, told HT that Guru Gobind Singh was a torchbearer for the entire nation.
Chandigarh : The Punjab BJP unit has expressed resentment over its alliance partner Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) boycotting the event organised by the RSS-affiliate Rashtriya Sikh Sangat to mark the 350th birth year of Guru Gobind Singh.
State BJP chief and Union minister Vijay Sampla, who also attended the function, told HT that Guru Gobind Singh was a torchbearer for the entire nation. “Apart from being the 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh is also known as Hind-ki-Chadar because he fought for the security of his countrymen. There shouldn’t be binding on any community if it celebrates Guru ji’s contribution. The whole controversy over the issue is not appropriate,” said Sampla, without naming the alliance partner.
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Former state BJP chief and ex-minister Manoranjan Kalia said the RSS has already clarified that the motive of the function was just to celebrate the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh.
“Guru Gobind Singh worked for the community as a whole. It shouldn’t be politicised and must not be viewed through a parochial prism. Akali Dal should have shown large-heartedness and taken the lead in joining the celebrations,” said Kalia.
Former state president Kamal Sharma said the RSS has always revered Sikhs as separate community and the entire controversy over the issue was just media creation.