MUKTSAR (FARIDKOT): section of the audience at the first Panthic conference organized here on the occasion of Maghi fair raised slogans against Mr Parkash Singh Badal and Mr G.S. Tohra when they rose to deliver their speeches.

Mr Simranjit Singh Mann tried to pacify the audience by appealing with folded hands to listen to the two leaders but his appeal had little impact.

Mr Badal hurriedly completed his speech and sat down. Mr Tohra too faced a similar situation and left the dais after some time.

Mr Badal and Mr Tohra were, however, heard saying that they were solidly behind Mr Mann and supported his policies and programmes.

Mr Mann describing the incident as unfortunate said without unity Sikhs could not achieve their goal. Sant Jamail Singh Bhindranwale had also differences with Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi and Mr Harchand Singh Longowal but nonetheless, he used to address conferences with them.

Referring to the slogans against Mr Badal and Mr Tohra Mr Mann said allegations could not be leveled against anybody without proof. For achieving the goal set by the late Sant Bhindranwale and to bring the Sikh struggle forward, unity in all the Panthic organisations was the need of the hour.

He said he had given a legal form to the goal set by Sant Bhindranwale by presenting the entire case before the Prime Minister, Mr Chandra Shekhar. He was trying to achieve the goal according to his wisdom and the Sikh intelligentsia should make efforts for achieving the goal. Militant bodies should use their might for the same.

The President of the Shiromani Akali Dal said Mr Chandra Shekhar was a good man but his primary concern was not Mr Shekhar. It was the demands of the Sikhs.

He called upon the people to deal with looters and extortionists with an iron hand as they were harming the Sikh struggle. Mr Mann ended his speech by raising the slogans. Freedom, freedom, freedom.

Bhai Mohkam Singh of the — Damdami Taksal said the Sikh leaders should shed their blood for achieving the goal.

Mr Baldev Singh Sibia, president of SGPC, Mr Tota Singh a senior Akali leader, Mr Gurmeet Singh Khudian and Bhai Jasbir Singh Rode, were among the speakers.

 Mr Kirpal Singh an MP from Amritsar and president of the Punjab Janata Dal was not given time to speak.

Article extracted from this publication >> January 18, 1991