Punjab BJP to seek sympathetic, open minded review of Black List of Sikhs - Grewal

Ludhiana: 26 October 2014 -
Punjab BJP Leader Sukhminderpal Singh Grewal said that the black list of Sikhs should be reviewed sympathetically and with an open mind to apply balm to the festering wounds. Talking with the media persons here today he said that our party is ready to engage with the contentious issues in place of pushing these under the carpet. Grewal said that he will be taking up the issue of Sikh brothers very sympathetic and open minded review of Black List of Sikhs with its central leadership and will pursue the issue further in its attempt to engage with the contentious issues of Punjab and Sikhs. He said that if we address these issues the peace can be long lasting in Punjab, though the atmosphere of the state is stable right now but it starts getting vitiated on small issues with such old and contentious issues remaining unaddressed. Grewal said that we wish to improve the peace and communal harmony a permanent feature of the state while handling these issues in place of running away. He said that It's very clear and well known that it may be mentioned here that it is for the first time that BJP is adapting such pro-active approach on the issue. He told that in the year 2004 during NDA regime Rashtriya Sikh Sangat Leader Sr. Rulda Singh Patiala had been lobbying for it and opened channels with NRI Sikhs also but he was later assassinated. Grewal also stated that our Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi met a delegation of Sikhs during his US visit and feedback from there was also quite encouraging. He said that our Punjab is a border state and strategically very important for the country and for our party national interests are paramount. While talking towards the other issues, Grewal said that as most of the issues of Punjab were taken up in "Rajiv - Longowal Accord" these should be solved in its light. He reiterated that Chandigarh should be shifted to Punjab as per this accord and other issues should also be solved according those issues. At this time BJP Leader's Rohit Sonakar, Raman Bhalla, Rohit Shelly, Kewal Singh were also present.