Ø Hindu grouping formed in presence of Sidhu, former Congress minister is chairman
Ø Sekhri forms Sanyukta Hindu Mahasabha, says CM surrounded by coterie
Ø Sidhu supports formation of Sanyukta Hindu Mahasabha, says the government cannot make false promises to get votes
Chandigarh, November 2, 2021: In a major development in Punjab politics just before the assembly elections, a grouping of the Hindu community has been announced in the presence of PPCC President navjot S Sidhu. The organisation of Hindus has been named Sanyukt Hindu Mahasabha , Punjab, who’s chairman is Ashwani Sekhri a senior Punjab congress leader who has been a cabinet minister of Punjab and also MLA of Batala 3 times. A meeting under Sanyukta Hindu Mahasabha with prominent leaders of different Hindu organisations was held under a ‘Diwali Milan’ programme at Punjab Bhawan here. PPCC President Navjot Singh Sidhu was also present at the function. Later Sidhu & Sekhri held a press conference.
Ashwani Sekhri said, “Sanyukt Hindu Mahasabha is a non-political organization. The idea behind this initiative is to create a platform for Punjab’s Hindu community so that their voice is heard. Their issues should be taken to the government,” Sekhri added, “CM Channi is surrounded by the same coterie which used to be around Capt Amarinder Singh as a result Punjab is being neglected. Our aim is to break the coterie’s ring around the CM.”
Appreciating the formation of Sanyukt Hindu Mahasabha, Punjab, Sidhu said that he will take the voice of all Hindus to the government and that he will work towards maintaining unity of all religions at any cost. All divisive forces will be shunned, he added.
Sidhu attacked the government & said that hollow promises which are not supported by facts and truth will not help the Congress party and if those in power try to mislead people through falsehoods no one will stand by the party. Sidhu rued the poor condition of the state exchequer & called for putting back the money looted by different mafias into the state’s coffers.
Meanwhile, Sekhri was able to make a strong political statement as the meeting under Sanyukta Hindu Mahasabha , Punjab saw participation of more than 350 representatives of social organisations, intellectuals from about 100 cities of Punjab. The participants represented Hindu organisations like Brahman Samaj Punjab, Khatri Sabha Punjab, Aggarwal Sabha Punjab, Mahajan Sabha Punjab, Rajput Sabha Punjab, Arora Sabha Punjab, and Akhil Bharatiya Brahman Ekta Parishad.
Though Sekhri terms the move of setting up of Sanyukt Hindu Mahasabha non-political, its timing just before elections could be aimed at consolidating the Hindu vote bank of Punjab for the Congress. The Hindu community forms a sizable portion of the electorate in Punjab. While the SC Hindu community accounts for 17 per cent, the general category is 26 per cent. Together Hindus form 43 per cent.
Apart from Ashwani Sekhri other prominent office bearers of Sanyukta Hindu Mahasabha, Punjab who were present at the press meet included Satish Malhotra, President, Purshotam Lal Sethia and Ashok Malhotra, Cashier.
