Congress needs no lesson on patriotism: Amarinder to BJP

Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Capt. Amarinder Singh on Wednesday said the Congress party did not need any lessons or a certificate on patriotism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

He advised the BJP better not to pontificate the Congress and its vice president Rahul Gandhi on nationalism and patriotism. "Our contribution and sacrifice to the cause of nation are exemplary and unparallel, while the BJP has none," he told reporters before presiding over the annual convocation of Hindu College here.

"The Congress in general and Rahul Gandhi's family in particular have a record of greatest sacrifices to safeguard the unity and integrity of the country. Besides, let me tell the BJP that it was during their regime that Parliament was attacked, and it was under the Congress-led UPA's regime that terrorists like Ajmal Kasab and Afzal Guru were hanged," he pointed out.

When his opinion was sought on Rahul Gandhi's visit to Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in support of the protesting students, Amarinder said, "I support the freedom of speech guaranteed by the Constitution of India, but anything which is anti-national is absolutely unacceptable."

Addressing the convocation, the PCC president told the students that they were the future of Punjab. "Seventy percent of Punjab is young, and I understand your concerns. After completing your education, you must be expecting and aspiring for right kind of jobs. Your job ends after completing your studies, and now it's our duty to provide you with good jobs."

At the same time, he said, it was not possible for the government to provide jobs to all. "We need to create a right kind of atmosphere, where investments and industry can come to Punjab, which will lead to job creation. I assure you that I will create that atmosphere, because it's my duty," he added.

The PCC president regretted that the Punjab Government was not providing the due aid to the college, it was entitled to. "Same is the case with all aided educational institutions, as the state has gone bankrupt," he said, while pointing out that the state debt has mounted to Rs. 1.25 lakh crores.

The PCC president said the revival of education and health systems in the state was his top priority. "Educationally Punjab has been divided into haves and have-nots, as a majority of students cannot afford private school education. We need to bridge that gap, if we honestly want Punjab's youth to be employed," he said.

He also announced a grant of Rs. 25 lakhs for the college from his MPLAD fund.

Earlier, he was received by the college's management committee, including chairman Sudhir Mahajan, secretary P.N. Aroa, principal P.K. Sharma and Hindu Sabha, Amritsar, president Hem Raj Gupta.