Sidhu: Govt responsible for minorities’ security

Amritsar, December 22

Local Bodies, Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu said today that the security of minorities was the government’s responsibility, while promising that there would no negligence on this count.
Representing Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, Sidhu presided over the state-level Christmas function here and extended greetings to the Christian community.
Addressing the gathering, Sidhu expressed concern over reports about alleged conversion of Sikhs in Pakistan. Roman Catholic Bishop Franco Mulakkal mentioned instances of a church priest being assaulted by a group which wrongly assumed that he was indulging in conversion.
The minister said people belonging to all religions would keep living in harmony in Punjab, adding that the state government would not allow anybody to disturb peace.
Bishop Franco decried politics in the name of religion. He said the Masih Mahasabha was not a wing of any political party, even as Christians were associated with the Congress, SAD, BJP, AAP, BSP etc.
“Ours is a platform on which the problems faced by Christians are redressed with the government’s help,” he added.
Lok Sabha MP Gurjit Singh Aujla lauded the community for its welfare-oriented works. Bishop Franco assured the government of the Christians’ active cooperation in philanthropic endeavours. Bishop PV Samanthroy and Bishop Franco honoured Sidhu.