MARTYRDOM ANNIVERSARY: Homage to Baba Fateh Singh, Baba Zorawar Singh and Mata Gujar Kaur

Fatehgarh Sahib, December 25, 2012: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today announced that the Punjab Government would soon ensure strict implementation of the provisions of the law for awarding harshest punishment to the perpetrators of the heinous crime of rape.

Talking to the media persons on the sidelines after paying obeisance at Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib on the 308th Martyrdom Anniversary of younger sons Baba Fateh Singh, Baba Zorawar Singh and mother Mata Gujar Kaur of Tenth master of Sikhs Sri Guru Gobind Singh, Badal was replying to a query regarding the Delhi rape incident adding he said to make amendments in the existing provisions of law for awarding the severest punishment to the culprits of rape was within the domain of Centre and it should be made non-bail able offence. He assured the state government would enforce the implementation of the provisions of law in the right earnest in this regard so that an exemplary punishment could be meted out to the rapists and act as deterrent for others.

Badal said that the culprits for such heinous crime should be tried in the fast track courts so that the speedy dispensation of justice could be ensured to the victims of rape. He said that the state government had already urged the Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court to earmark some fast track courts in the state to ensure speedy trail of rape cases.

Reacting sharply to the unfortunate the Delhi Rape incident, Badal said that the all the accused in the case should be awarded severest of the severe punishment to teach a lesson to the perpetrators of such dastardly acts. Showing solidarity with the rape victim and her family, the Chief Minister said that it was a shameful and unfortunate act against the entire mankind and must be condemned by one and all. He asked the GoI to bring necessary amendments in existing provisions of law under rape to make it far more stringent so that such crimes were not repeated in future.

Referring to the ruckus in the recently concluded winter session of Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Badal said that it was unfortunate as the Congress being the opposition party was mentally prepared from day one to boycott the session as they had no concrete agenda except making pandemonium in the assembly.

He said he made sincere efforts to persuade the Congress to join the session but all went and vain as they paid no heed to his repeated requests.

Eulogizing the supreme sacrifice of younger Sahibzadas and Mata Gujar Kaur, Badal said that these sacrifices were unprecedented in the annals of the history of mankind across the globe. He said the entire world was proud of this unique and unparalleled sacrifice which was a matter of great honor not for the Punjabis, our countrymen but everyone living in the world. He said the history of Punjab was replete with countless sacrifices that had derived inspiration from our great Gurus like Sri Guru Arjun Dev , Sri Guru Teg Bahadur and Sri Guru Gobind Singh who laid down their lives for the sake of mankind. He said the outstanding contribution made by Punjabis in National Freedom Struggle was also laudable.

Earlier, the Chief Minister was presented a siropa (rob of honor) and a sword by the Head Granthi Sri Fatehgarh Sahib Giani Harpal Singh in the sanctum sanctorum of Gurdwara Sahib, where the younger Sahibzadas were bricked alive by the then Mughal emperor Wazid Khan.

Prominent amongst who were present on the occasion included SAD General Secretary Prof. Prem Singh Chandumajra, MLA Justice (Retd.) Nirmal Singh and Member SGPC Karnail Singh Panjoli  besides Deputy Commissioner Yashvir Mahajan and SSP HS Maan. The Chief was accompanied by his Special Principal Secretary Gurkirat Kirpal Singh.