Sikhs Do Not Support Khalistan, Akali Dal Wants to Uplift Poor
Washington, DC – IAT reached out to Harjit Singh Hundal, General Secretary of Shiromani Akali Dal in the USA and spoke about party affairs and the Sikh diaspora in the US.
IAT
You are General Secretary of the Akali Dal in the US. What are your responsibilities?
As the general secretary of the Shiromani Akali Dal USA East coast, I shoulder many responsibilities of coordinating party activities in the US under the able leadership of our seniors. Daily activities include following up on instructions of our leaders and accordingly arranging meetings, discussing and implementing the party agenda, and carrying out other micro work of running the office. I request party members for more and more involvement in running the party and help in supporting Punjab with help of our diaspora.
IAT:
Recently media reports said that some of the members here are doing anti-party activities while staying in the party. What are the actions taken against such people?
Action has been taken and they have been thrown out of the party.
IAT:
What is your message to them?
Anyone who is a worker and even a senior leader, and indulges in anti-party activities, will not be spared and the party will take strict actions against them.
IAT:
Punjab today is at crossroads again with drug problems in the youth, government dragging its feet over water sharing and umpteen other domestic problems. What will Akali Dal do if it comes to power in the next elections?
It’s not only the drug problem – there are many other problems as unemployment is high, free ration has been stopped, old age pension has been discontinued, electric bills are escalating and common man is facing many more issues in daily life. We are making a note of all these problems and closely following the actions being taken. Akali Dal in 2022 elections will win by a landslide and will focus on uplifting the poor and downtrodden people of the State.
IAT:
On the other hand, the Khalistan movement is rearing it’s ugly head again, especially from the groups like the US-based Sikhs for Justice. Do you support or denounce the organization which has Gurpatwant Singh Pannun as it’s legal advisor and poster boy?
Today the Punjab government has confiscated the properties of these Khalistanis including Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. These so-called Khalistanis have amassed wealth by doing politics over dead bodies of our youth. It is their support which enables our enemy nations to carry out drug trade and spoil the generations in Punjab. They are actively supporting countries like China and pose a grave danger not only to India, but also to our great nation of the USA. Organizations like SFJ are the Trojan horse who are allowing anti-American forces to enter our land. It is very dangerous that our political leadership in the US, including the Congressmen and women and our Senators are not yet cognizant of the danger which the Khalistanis present not only to a great ally like India, but to the American people and society. It is our responsibility to make the American public aware of this danger.
Hence, Akali Dal supports Punjab prospering under the Indian Constitution and we don’t want terrorism to return to Punjab. We support peace, prosperity and communal harmony.
IAT:
What are the challenges you are facing in running the party branch here?
There are many people who are trying to sabotage the works of Akali Dal but our workers with their unflinching efforts and dedication are working to spread the work of our party..
IAT:
What is your vision for the party here?
Our party is active at State level and also is part of the national front. Earlier there was a lot of negative propaganda against the Akali Dal and we largely ignored the baseless allegations. But now we have decided to actively counter it.
IAT:
AAP has been active in Punjab so what’s happening now?
In the earlier election, AAP tried to infiltrate in a major way, but they lacked the ground connect and failed miserably. Nearly 100 crores were collected abroad by AAP in the name of elections and now people are asking for accounts of the same. AAP supporters are now returning to the Akali Dal.
IAT:
Indian government stopped the use of Punjabi language in J&K?
We are demanding that the GOI should restore the use of Punjabi language in J&K.
IAT:
Beyond politics, you are keen in the field of music. Can you share some details about your passion in that?
I have two hobbies – politics and social work. I also love music and am a professional singer. Music is food for soul
IAT:
Thank you for your time and effort.