Chandigarh: Amid the ongoing controversy surrounding Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, BJP leader Jagmohan Raju has sought an appointment with the Chief Minister despite the Akal Takht’s directive advising Sikhs not to maintain any association with him.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Minister, Raju justified his decision by stating that the proposed meeting concerns the future of nearly 100,000 underprivileged and Scheduled Caste students seeking admission under the Right to Education (RTE) Act.
Raju, a former bureaucrat-turned-politician who recently resigned as vice-president of the Punjab BJP, said the issue transcends political considerations and requires immediate attention in the interest of disadvantaged children.
“I am fully aware that the Akal Takht Sahib has declared the Chief Minister as anti-Panth and has advised Sikhs not to maintain any association with him. As a Sikh, I have the highest respect for the Akal Takht Sahib,” Raju said in his letter.
“However, when the educational future of nearly one lakh poor Dalit children is at stake, my conscience does not permit me to remain silent,” he added.
Raju maintained that his request for a meeting is solely aimed at addressing concerns related to school admissions and ensuring that eligible students receive the benefits guaranteed under the Right to Education Act.
The development comes amid heightened political debate in Punjab following recent decisions and statements surrounding the Chief Minister and the Akal Takht.
