Question : You first demanded the immediate release of Singh Sahibs to restore the temple maryada but now suddenly

you have sacked them. Why?

Answer : They could not control the situation inside. We were somewhat under fear of militants also. That is why we have apologised to the Panth for our faults. Now that -the temple has been cleared of militants, it was time for us

to strike. It is the S.G.P.C. and the Akali Dal which are genuine representative bodies of Sikhs.

Question : You harped on Panthic unity and now you are talking in a different tone.

Answer : Yes, we did talk of Panthic unity. Rut, what has been the result? Only disunity. Now was the time for calling a spade a spade and we have done it.

Question : What is the fault of Singh Sahibs?

Answer : All five of them have been instigating the

militants. But barring Bhai Jasbir Singh, all others were actually in league with the militants inside the complex. Three of them (Bhai Jaswant Singh, Bhai Swinder Singh

and Bhai Kashmir Singh) had announced the formation of “Council of Khalistan” on 7.10.1987. it is true that only

Jasbir Singh acted to clear the temple of bad elements.

the too failed in his mission despite the formation of a committee by him.

Question : How do you claim to be representing the Sikhs when it is freely alleged that most Akalis and S.G.P.C. members are on the pay roll of the Central and State intelligence?

Answer : I cannot say about that. But it is true that most Akali leaders, barring one or r a, are quite thick with the Centre through one or the other channel.

Question : What about the charges against S.G.11.C. members? Answer : There is factionalism in the S.G.P.C. But this factionalism became irrelevant when the Deputy Commissioner openly came to the rescue of Singh Sahibs (Mai Jasbir Singh and other,). We are one on dismissing the Singh Sahibs. There could be differences on new appointees.

Question : How do you say that the Government through the D.C. was on the side of the outgoing Singh Sahibs? Answer : While the S.G.P.C. executive was deliberating on the issue, the Deputy Commissioner barged in to warn us against the removal of Singh Sahibs and threatened to put

us behind bars in case the executive decided to remove them. We were even asked to conclude our uellberations within

“four minutes”. We took’ just tour minutes not only to dismiss the Singh Sahibs but also to appoint their successors.

You may come to your own conclusions about the Government’s attitude. The Deputy Commissioner arranged a Press “denial” of the dismissals and appointments made by us The Deputy Commissioner also went to the extent of taking Pressmen inside the Central Jail, Amritsar, to make it possible for the outgoing Singh Sahibs to comment on the S.G.P.C. decisions and to “reassert” their lost authority.