Ruchika M Khanna
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, November 6
The special commemorative session of the Vidhan Sabha, convened to mark the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, saw the Congress taking “Panthic hues” and the party’s former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh talking of how Punjab was moving away from the Guru’s philosophy, as its youth were getting addicted to drugs, air and water were polluted and culture being eroded.
The session was attended by Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu, Governors of Punjab and Haryana VP Singh Badnore and Satyadeo Narain Arya and Chief Ministers Capt Amarinder Singh and ML Khattar. The session also saw legislators from both Punjab and Haryana sit in the Vidhan Sabha hall after more than 50 years.
Raising “jaikaras” and chanting hymns, five Congress MLAs — Parminder Singh Pinky, Kulbir Singh Zira, Fatehjung Bajwa, Varindermeet Singh Pahra, and Darshan Brar — came barefoot, wearing siropas and chanted hymns, even as Aam Aadmi Party and Akali-BJP MLAs looked on. The five MLAs were joined by other Congress MLAs who stood there and raised the “jaikara” with them, just as the VIP guests came in.
Naidu began his speech in chaste Punjabi and used several quotes of the first Sikh Guru on creating an ideal society. Incidentally, he was the only one to have also addressed former CM and Akali Dal patriarch Parkash Singh Badal before he beginning his speech, even as Manmohan Singh, Capt Amarinder and Speaker Rana KP chose to ignore him in their addresses.
Naidu hoped that the opening of the corridor would be a sign of peace, harmony and humanism, and contribute to the realisation of Guru Nanak’s vision of an ideal society. “In a world that is increasingly fragmented with narrow tunnel vision, bigotry and dogmatism, we needall the strength to dispelthe darkness that constantly threatens to envelop individuals, communities and nations,” he added.
Manmohan Singh said the Kartarpur model should be replicated in the future too as a lasting resolution of conflicts. “I appeal to you all to spread Guru Nanak’s message of love and respect to ensure an equitable society. Guru’s eternal message of oneness of God, religious tolerance and peace could pave the way to end sectarian violence, which was the biggest challenge facing the world,” he said.
Capt Amarinder gave a call for the protection of nature to save the future generations from the devastating effects of environmental pollution. Recalling the Guru’s ideology “Pavan Guru, Pani Pita, Mata Dharat Mahat” (Air is the guru, water the father, and earth the mother), he underlined the intrinsic bond between nature and mankind.
Bills passed
The House unanimously passed a Bill to establish Jagat Guru Nanak Dev Punjab State Open University in Patiala. However, opposition MLAs raised question as to why another university was being set up in the royal city. Parminder Dhindsa said it should be established at Sultanpur Lodhi.
Lunch diplomacy
- At the special lunch after the session, Capt Amarinder and his bete noire Parkash S Badal sat on the same table, though at a distance. Haryana Dy CM Dushyant Chautala sat next to Badal
- Sukhdev Dhindsa sat close to the CM, while Bikram Majithia at the other corner
- After the lunch, Amarinder’s wife Preneet Kaur walked up to Badal and enquired about his well-being
- Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu, former PM Manmohan Singh, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, and both Punjab and Haryana Governors did not stay back for lunch
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Chhatra’, ‘rumala’ for Kartarpur Sahib handed over to Manmohan Singh
- A delegation of Delhi Congress leaders led by DPCC President Subhash Chopra felicitate former prime minister Manmohan Singh ahead of his visit to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan through Kartarpur corridor, at formers residence in New Delhi, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019. (PTI Photo)