Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Badal on Friday sought repeal of all "anti-democratic and repressive black laws" like the National Security Act (NSA) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and called for stoppage of their "rampant and brazen abuse" by the AAP government in Punjab.
"It is an attempt to distract attention of the people from the brazen incompetence and failures of the ruling party to honour its commitments to Punjabis," said Badal.
The Akali Dal chief shot off a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking his intervention for repeal of these "black laws" in the light of experience and their adverse impact on the country's image as the world's largest democracy.
Badal said the AAP government has turned these repressive laws into weapons against members of the Khalsa Panth, especially the innocent Sikh youth. "Even innocent members of Sikh families, including the elderly, the women and children are being subjected to repression."
Slamming the state government for "launching an unprecedented crackdown against the innocent and patriotic Sikh community", Badal said the government was picking up Sikh youth on mere suspicion and booking them under repressive laws and sending them to far-off places like Dibrugarh.
Seeking the intervention of the Prime Minister to repeal such laws, former state Home Minister Badal said such law is being abused to target the political opponents, including democratically elected leaders.
Turbulence hits IndiGo flight, lands safely in Srinagar
Severe turbulence hit an IndiGo airlines flight bound to Srinagar from Delhi, causing panic, cries and prayers among passengers on Wednesday, but fortunately the flight landed in Srinagar safely, though with a broken nose.
Heavy rain, strong winds lash Delhi-NCR; Metro services affected, flights delayed
Heavy rain, hail, and powerful winds battered several parts of Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) on Wednesday evening, providing much-needed relief from the scorching summer heat but also causing widespread disruption across the region.
Dreaded Maoist leader Basavaraju among 27 killed in Chhattisgarh encounter
In a significant victory against left-wing extremism, security forces killed 27 Naxalites, including Nambala Keshav Rao, alias Basavaraju, the General Secretary of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist), in an encounter in Chhattisgarh on Wednesday.
Pakistan global epicentre of terrorism, hiding its own gross failings: MEA on Balochistan attack accusation
Hours after Pakistan made "baseless allegations" of Indian involvement in a bus bomb blast in Balochistan earlier in the day, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday slammed Islamabad for blaming India for all its internal issues.
In address to officers, Bangladesh Army Chief draws red lines for Yunus regime
Bangladesh's Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Waker-Uz-Zaman on Wednesday addressed all officers at the Army Head Quarters (AHQ) in Dhaka, during which he reportedly stated that there will be no Humanitarian Corridor, nor any port allotted to any foreigners till an elected government comes to power in the country.
HM Amit Shah lauds security forces' effort to eliminate 27 Maoists in Chhattisgarh
As security forces have neutralised 27 Maoists in Chhattisgarh, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has termed it as a “landmark achievement in the battle to eliminate Naxalism.”
Operation Sindoor Outreach: First group of All Party Delegation leaves for five-nation tour
India on Wednesday rolled out its massive global campaign 'Operation Sindoor Outreach' to expose Pakistan's direct and indirect links to terrorism as the first group of an all-party delegation led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha left for a five-nation visit from New Delhi.
41 Australian lawmakers write to Yunus, urge 'clear election roadmap' in Bangladesh
In a significant development, a group of 41 Australian Senators and Members of Parliament on Wednesday wrote a letter to Muhammad Yunus, the head of Bangladesh's interim government, urging his administration to immediately and publicly announce a specific, time-bound electoral roadmap,