ANANDPUR SAHIB: While a controversy is brewing over President Zail Singh’s visit here on July 9 to pay respects at Takht Kesgarh Sahib. The Punjab government has communicated to the Union Home Ministry to cancel’ the proposed’ visit of Giani Zail ‘Singh, it is learnt. Highly placed police sources believe that a team of senior police officers who held parleys with Bhai Swinder Singh, Head’ Priest of Takht Kesgarh Sahib, gathered the Impression that S.G.P.C. authorities might oppose the entry of Giani Zail Singh into the Gurdwara. Bhai Swinder Singh reportedly told the police officials that majority of the Sikhs would not like the entry of Giani Zail Singh into a gurdwara because of his antipanthic activities. He also stated that Giani Zail Singh was excommunicated but was exonerated under very unreasonable circumstances.
According to information reaching here, five head priests headed by Prof. Darshan Singh are likely to hold a meeting here on Sunday to discuss the strategy to be adopted on the visit of Giani Zail Singh. Bhai Swinder Singh earlier had refused to cooperate with police authorities in carrying out the search of entire gurdwara complex. It was a prerequisite as per the V.I.P. security Blue Book. The police had also asked for the list of sewadars of the Gurdwara but the Jathedar refused to give the list.
Article extracted from this publication >> July 10, 1987
