Chandigarh, April 5
Slamming the vile comments made by Khalistani supporter Gurpatwant Pannun about Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Manwinder Singh Giaspura said that a hatemonger cannot be a Sikh.
Giaspura stated that our Gurus never taught us hatred or violence. They taught us to pray and work for Sarbat da Bhala (welfare of all). This man knows nothing about Sikh principles. He is blind to wisdom. Gurpatwant Pannun does not live up to even a single teaching given to us by our Guru Sahibans.
He said that Baba Saheb Ambedkar, through his revolutionary thoughts, gave important constitutional rights not only to Dalits but to women and all citizens. But people like Gurpatwant Pannun want to provoke common people in the name of religion and caste. Punjab will never accept such people.
He said, “We warn Gurpatwant Pannun not to make inflammatory statements from abroad. If you have the courage, come to Punjab and say these things. On the 14th of April, on the birth anniversary of Baba Saheb, we will protect his statues across the state with flags and sticks and pay homage to him. We are not the kind to fear such cowardly threats.”
Issuing a stern warning to Pannun, Giaspura said, “Mend your ways or our society will deal with you in a manner that history has never seen before.” He added that the followers of Sikhism never make derogatory comments against Baba Saheb Ambedkar, and speaking ill of anyone is not part of our culture.
He also appealed to the youth of Punjab not to fall into the trap of people like Gurpatwant Pannun. He said these people sit abroad and mislead our youth, pushing them into the fire of violence.