Sacrilege: Badal says 'fissiparous forces' will be exposed

Facing ire from several quarters over incidents of alleged desecration of a Sikh holy book, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said the "fissiparous forces" which are "hell bent" upon destroying hard earned peace in the state would be exposed before the people.
Badal further said that the state government was committed to thwart any such attempt which could pose a danger to the progress and prosperity of the state.
The five-time Chief Minister today paid obeisance at the Golden Temple here and offered prayers for peace, communal harmony, brotherhood and amity in the state.
Badal's visit to 'Darbar Sahib' assumes significance in the wake of protests being held in several parts of the state over the alleged sacrilege of the Sikh book in Faridkot, Ferozepur and Tarn Taran.

Asserting that some forces "inimical" to the progress of Punjab were hell bent upon destroying the hard earned peace of the state, he said, "These forces will be exposed before the people so that they are not able to succeed in their nefarious designs against the state."
He called upon the people of the state to rise above "parochial" considerations of caste, religion and creed to give a befitting reply to such "fissiparous" forces.

Reiterating that Punjabis have always upheld the ethos of peace and brotherhood in the state, Badal expressed hope that no one would ever be able to destroy the deep-knitted social fabric of the state.

Accompanied by state cabinet minister Daljeet Singh Cheema, the Chief Minister reached Golden Temple in the morning and offered his prayers.
Badal was offered a 'siropa' (robe of honour) at the sanctum sanctorum. He later visited Akal Takht and paid reverence at the highest temporal seat of the Sikh religion.
Urging the people to extend full support and cooperation to government by not falling prey to the malicious campaign unleashed by the "divisive forces", Badal said he has always prayed for the peace, progress and brotherhood in the state and prosperity of its people.