Chandigarh, Jan 17 (AHN) Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Badal on Saturday urged Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta to disqualify Leader of Opposition Atishi as a member of the House for making blasphemous remarks against the Guru Sahiban.

In a letter to the Speaker, Badal said he was anguished at Atishi’s conduct, both in his capacity as the party President as well as a devout Sikh. He said from a legislative viewpoint, the conduct of Atishi constituted a grave breach of privilege and contempt of the House, amounting to conduct unbecoming of a legislator.

“A member who publicly insults the faith, Guru Sahiban and religious sentiments of the minority Sikh community forfeits not only moral legitimacy but also constitutional right to remain a lawmaker,” he said. The SAD President said Atishi’s hurtful remarks constituted religious blasphemy under Sikh religious doctrine. He said they were also calculated to hurt the religious sentiments of the Sikh community.

“In the light of this, I request you to recommend registration of an FIR against Atishi under Section 295-A of the Indian Penal Code for hurting religious sentiments and Section 153-A of the IPC for promoting enmity and disharmony between communities,” Badal said adding that these provocations posed a serious danger to the hard earned atmosphere of peace and communal harmony in Punjab and the rest of the country.

Asserting that Sikhs across the world were looking up to him, Badal also informed the Speaker that the matter had evoked serious concern within Panthic institutions, headed by the supreme religio-temporal authority of the Sikhs -- Akal Takht Sahib. Badal also informed the Delhi Assembly Speaker that the Sikh Guru Sahiban embodied the eternal spiritual sovereignty of Akal Purakh and the collective allegiance of the Khalsa Panth to the eternal goals of cosmic truth and universal brotherhood, cutting across caste, creed or race or religion, language or regions.

“The Khalsa Panth derives its divine inspiration and authority from Guru Granth Sahib, the eternal living embodiment of Guru Sahiban,” he said, while urging the Speaker to set an example for future generations so that the country truly becomes a symbol of respect for all faiths, especially the minority community.