CHANDIGARH: All India Sikh Student Federation has split into two sections with Mr. Harinder Singh Kahlon announcing a separate identity and forming a new Ad Hoc Committee. The decision was taken in joint meeting of five members Panthic Committee, Damdami and all India Sikh Student Federation. Mr. Harinder Singh Kahlon has been nominated Convener of the committee , other members are: Mr. Gurjeet Singh, Ferozpur; Mr. Swaranjit Singh Ro par, Mr. Balbir Singh, Hoshiarpur; Mr. Sarbjit Singh Bath, Amritsar; Mr. Sawaran Singh, Kapurthala, Mr. Makhan Singh, Bathinda; this was disclosed in a written statement by Mr. Mukhwinder Singh Sandhu, office Secretary of the Federation. Meanwhile, the Khaton section also decided to shift its Office to some other place and the workers have vacated the Federation office which was being jointly used by the Presidium members and Kahlon section. Mr. Gurdev Singh acting Jathedar of Akal Takht has asked both the rival groups to use the office until April 22nd, and no fresh move was made to allot this office. Kahlon group however, has taken its own decision.

The new office of A.I.S.S.F. led by Mr. Harinder Singh Kahlon was a formally opened by the officiating head of Damdami Taksal Baba Takhur Singh at the Golden Temple Complex.

Amritsar. In a brief signed statement Baba Takur Singh appealed to all Sikhs to extend their full support to Mr. Kahlon who had led the Sikh struggle during the critical period after the operation Blue Star. He appreciated the role of Federation in defending the Golden Lumpier Complex Cur mew Army attack in June 1984, Since the Federation stood always with Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwala the Government had all along looked at it with contempt. It had also tried to wean it away from Damidami Taksal, All such efforts had failed to move Mr. Khalon with its seven members Ad-Hoc Committee, the Baba added.

On his arrival Baba Thakar Singh was given salute by Federation activists who stood holding the swords, The Golden Temple Complex has now the offices of Akali Dal United Akali Dal led by Baba Joinder Singh A.I.S.S.F sections led by Mr. Kahlon and Mr. Manjit Singh who is under dimension in the Jodhpur Jail. While Mr. Kablon enjoys the support of Dam Dami Taksal and the five Member Panthic Committee. The Federation Presidium is backed by Baba Joinder Singh of United AkaliDal, The split in the Federation has caused a crisis among all Sikh organizations which cropped up after operation Blue Star and now in control of the Temple Complex.

The S.G.P.C. and ruling Akali Dal do not appear to be in existence in the Golden Temple Complex. There are now two Jathedars of Akal Takhat two head priests of Golden Tempe, While Bhai Gurdev Singh does not move out of the complex, Giani Kirpal Singh does not enter it. Office of A.I.S.S.F. Kahlon group is in the same room in which A.I.S.S.F. had set up its office prior to operation Blue Star, when Federation broke away from Akali Dal and sided with Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, The Presidium office remains only in United Akali Dal building.

Article extracted from this publication >> May 2, 1986