‘Secular’ in Preamble non-negotiable, can’t even be debated: Badal

PHAGWARA: Amid the controversy triggered by the Union government's advertisements featuring pictures of the Preamble of Indian Constitution without words "secular" and "socialism", Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal said on Friday that those two concepts were non-negotiable. Countering Union telecom minister Ravi Shankar Prasad's statement that there could be a debate on it, Badal said that there was no scope for even a discussion about it.

"Secularism is very important for our country which is very diverse. The country can't run without this concept. It was very important and that is why it was added in the Preamble and there can't be any tinkering with it," Badal said while speaking to newspersons here at a 'sangat darshan' programme.

"Secularism is so important that its presence in the Preamble can't even be debated. Even newspapers should write very carefully about it and should not fan the controversy," cautioned Badal, who is also the patron of SAD (Badal), the oldest BJP ally.

Meanwhile, the CM said that he would also meet Union finance minister Arun Jaitley to get released Rs 400 crore which had been withheld by the ministry, even though the amount was part of the Rs 700 crore approved by the 13th Finance Commission for state special plans. "The amount approved by the Finance Commission can't be held back by the Union finance ministry. I will meet the finance minister over the issue," he said.

Asked about the Akali Dali's views on amendments in the Land Acquisition Bill, Badal refrained from taking a clear stand on the issue and said that he would discuss it with the Centre.

Reacting to Congress MP Captain Amarinder Singh's statement regarding fiscal emergency in Punjab, Badal said the Congress should first set its own house in order which was plagued by infighting. He blamed the Congress for all the financial problems of Punjab.

CM held 'sangat darshan' at four places in which grants were promised to 42 villages. The grants were distributed in consultation with chief parliamentary secretary Som Parkash and Markfed chairman Jarnail Singh Wahid.

Cong workers detained, let off

Meanwhile, Congress workers, led by former minister Joginder Singh Mann, protested against chief minister Parkash Singh Badal. They had sought time to meet the CM. After they received no response, they announced plan to show black flags to him. However, the group was stopped in Guru Hargobind Nagar area and taken to the Phagwara City police station. From there, they were released after sometime.

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