AMRITSAR: The Akali Dal (Mann) has decided to take disciplinary action against senior leader, Surjan Singh Thekedar, for adversely commenting on the panthic organizations’ resolve to probe the allegation that the SGPC chief, G.S. Tohra, was involved in the murder of Baldev Singh Lang, president of the party’s Patiala district unit.
An official statement of the Mann faction said the decision was taken by the party high command as Thekedar had opposed the probe to damage the “panthic unity” the Tohra case had generated. The statement signed by the party secretary, Amritpal Singh Nakai and deputy secretary, Iqbal Singh Tiwana, said no member would be allowed to violate discipline and toe the government line. It said five panthic organizations had taken a unanimous decision on May 31 to probe the allegation against Tohra and appealed to their members not to comment on the formation of a committee for the purpose.
The statement said the party president, Simranjit Singh Mann had made sacrifices to safeguard panthic interests and appointed Thekedar as his most trusted emissary lo contact other organizations for forging unity. By taking” a Stand against the unanimous decision of panthic bodies on the Tohra case, Thekedar had betrayed the leader.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 10, 1994
