GANDHINAGAR: Gujarat government has fielded BJP MP and former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu to win over the Sikh residents of Kutch, particularly over the latter’s resentment over freezing of their land holdings.
Sidhu and some senior government functionaries attended a religious meet at Lakhpat in Kutch where he appealed to the Sikhs not to be driven by any rumours.
”Under the dynamic leadership of chief minister Narendra Modi, all Sikh families live with the spirit of brotherhood and fraternity in Gujarat and Sikhs have always co-operated in the development of the state. Gujarat has always had a positive viewpoint for the Sikh society,” he said.
On the issue of freezing of land holdings of Sikh farmers, he said, “The issue is in the Supreme Court and since it’s a matter of legal procedures and policies, the law itself will decide upon it but being a Sikh, I’m standing by the Kutch Sikh farmers.”
Stating that the government is sympathetic towards the welfare of the Sikhs, Sidhu said, ”The Sikhs will surely avail their rights.” In his address, education minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasamasaid, ”Any Sikh residing in any corner of Gujarat is first a Gujarati.”
Source: TOI