Dal Khalsa supports Punjab govt's stand on NCTC

"Though the decision seems to have been dictated by the exigency of the situation, it is hoped that future decisions of the Badal Government would continue to reflect regional as well as Sikh aspirations," Dal Khalsa chief H S Dhami said in a statement.

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has alleged that the NCTC is aimed at usurping the powers of state governments, contrary to the spirit of federalism.

This was "a planned and deliberate attempt of the Centre to dilute the federal character of our country to make it unitary, which would be ever opposed by our government tooth and nail", Badal had said.

Dhami also hailed the stand taken by deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal on the issue.

"We welcome the love for federalism shown by Sukhbir and other CM's, ironically India continues to have a flawed and non-functioning federal structure," said the Khalsa chief.

"The parties articulating the regional aspirations should try to come on a common platform to check and contest the hegemony of the BJP and the Congress," the release said.

Similarly, the stand taken by Akali government led by Badals forcing the Thappar University to restore the 50 per cent quota for Punjabi students has been satisfactory, he said.