The politics in Punjab has heated up after the Central Government gave the Border Security Force (BSF) the right to act in an area 50 km from the border in Punjab. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has expressed strong objection to this decision of the Centre. However, the BJP has defended this decision of the Center and called it a matter of national security. Along with this, all the parties have been appealed not to do politics in this matter.
The SAD has attributed the move to hand over almost half of the state to the BSF as an indirect imposition of President’s rule in this portion. It is in effect turning the state into a de facto union territory. This attempt to put the state directly under the central rule should and will be opposed.
In a statement, senior Akali Dal leader and former minister Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema said that the federal principle has been attacked by misusing the constitutional provisions. It is unfortunate that the BSF has been given wide powers, taking away the normal duties of the state police.
As per the constitution only the state government can call the BSF to assist the state administration. The Center cannot act like this without an informal request from the state government.
