‘separate Gurdwara Panel Is Sikhs’ Internal Issue, Will Solv

[575]

The Akal Takhat Jathedar, Joginder Singh Vedanti, today stated that the issue of separate gurdwara management committee in Haryana would be solved amicably. He said it was an internal affair of the Sikhs and there should be no interference from outside. Vedanti emphasised that there would be no problem in solving the issue, which has been blown out of proportion. Vedanti was interacting with mediapersons at the inaugural function of B C Bazar Ambala Cantonment Gurdwara.

In reply to a question, Vedanti said that unscrupulous elements like the chief of Sacha Sauda Sirsa, Ram Rahim Gurmit Singh, have been trying to divide society by projecting themselves as the incarnation of the god. He said such persons were preaching falsehood and they should have no place in society. He said the CBI has submitted a chargesheet against Gurmit Singh, holding him responsible for crimes like murder, conspiracy and rape.

Meanwhile, Shiromani Akali Dal (Haryana) president Jathedar Sukhdev Singh Gobindgarh said the supporters of the Sacha Sauda chief, who have gathered in thousands on both sides of the Chandigarh-Hissar National Highway, today tried to harass two Sikh youths who were passing through the road near Matheri Chowk. He said the supporters passed some remarks to cause injury to their sentiments. Later, the youth reported the incident to him, he said.

Gobindgarh criticised the administration for allowing the dera supporters to gather near the special CBI court premises, in violation of Section 144. He said the lapse on the part of the district administration could be dangerous for law and order situation as the dera chief would come to the court on Thursday. He said if supporters of the dera were allowed to gather in town unchecked then they have to make their own arrangements to retaliate any misbehaviour of the dera

supporters.

The district administration, in the meantime, has made elaborate security arrangements around the court premises in Ambala City. A red alert has also been sounded in the city on Thursday. Over 50,000 Sacha Sauda followers have gathered in the town. The Superintendent of Police K V Ramanna said that in view of the crowd swell, the police have made arrangements to control the situation in case of any confrontation between the Sacha Sauda followers and Sikhs.