I have full support of Central government: Darbara Singh

Darbara Singh:For the soft-spoken, 63-year-old Darbara Singh, the chief minister ship of Punjab has turned out to be the proverbial bed of thorns. Ever since he assumed office in June, 1980, he has faced over a dozen violent agitations launched by the various factions of the Akali Dal, his arch opponents. Singh spoke to India Today on the recent developments in his state. Excerpts:Q. What are the reasons for the recent flare-ups? A. The Akalis are a disappointed lot these days. They have launched six different agitations against the Government since they were ousted from power. All their attempts to paralyses and defame the Government have failed. They have now taken up religious causes.Q. Why did you allow the situation to take such a serious turn?A. The problem has been aggravated by the political parties. It was not difficult for us to arrest 50-100 troublesome people. Undesirable elements entered the Gurudwaras and sending police there is the thing which should be avoided at every cost. I am the first chief minister who has written to the SGPC asking them to surrender those who are hiding in the Gurudwaras.Q. What is your opinion on the question of criminals taking shelter in the Gurudwaras?A. Giving shelter to criminals in the Gurudwaras amounts to spoiling the purity and sanctity of religious places. These criminals must be thrown out. The people will ultimately feel shy of going to these places, where murderers are hiding.Q. Will you send the police to arrest the wanted criminals?A. No comment on this sensitive question. Wisdom must prevail on them.Q. There are allegations that you are encouraging extremists so that there is no threat to your government from the Akalis.A. I am a positive man. Why should I encourage them, and create splits? They will ruin themselves with their activities.Q. Are you getting the full support of the Central Government?A. Absolutely. I have the full support of the prime minister. In fact, she came to Chandigarh on my request. I invited her to address the meeting of the Opposition parties.Q. Do you think that a section of your party led by Home Minister Zail Singh is encouraging violence against your government?A. I have no differences with the home minister and our party is united on this question. Why should we fight, it is for you to find out who is creating troubles for me.Q. How is it that there is so much communal tension in the state; is it not dangerous for Hindu-Sikh unity?A. Punjab has never witnessed a communal riot. We have never allowed communal flare-ups. The situation is well under control.Q. Since the Central Government has been keeping you informed about the activities of the extremists, why didn't you arrest them earlier?A. We were keeping a watch on the activities of all of them. None else but my government could manage the peaceful surrender of Bhindranwale. If we had arrested him earlier along with his group, there might have been many casualties. He was always surrounded by over 70 to 80 armed people, all of them might have been killed.Q. Do you think that Sikhs are badly treated in Punjab?A. Who says that? We have the maximum freedom. We are running the state administration. These few elements have brought a bad name to the Sikhs.Q. Are they getting foreign money?A. There are allegations but these are to be investigated.Q. Will these events affect your political career?A. This single event is not going to influence my chief ministership. But I must admit that I am not a manipulator. I can't tell lies. I must tell you, there is appreciation for my government for the proper handling of the situation.Published By: AtMigration Published On: Nov 10, 2014 18:26 IST--- ENDS ---

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I have full support of Central government: Darbara Singh

Ever since Darbara Singh assumed office in June, 1980, he has faced over a dozen violent agitations launched by the various factions of the Akali Dal, his arch opponents.

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