AMRITSAR: The initiative taken by the SGPC chief Baldev Singh Sibia to forge broad unity among Sikh bodies suffered a set hack Aug.4 with the Sikh Students Federation (Mehta-Chawla) deciding not to participate in the proposed Panthic meeting at Anandpur Sahib on Aug.11.

In a statement issued from the federation head office here its general secretary Amarjit Singh Chawla said only those people were participating in the meeting who had caused a setback to the Sikh struggle and have adopted an anti-struggle stance.

While appreciating the efforts of Sibia for unity the federation leader said not much could be achieved through such meetings. The divergent views of certain political parties would come in the way of reaching any logical consensus he said

Chawla said the attitude of the Akali factions owing allegiance to Sant Marc nana Singh Longowal had always been anti-struggle and pro-government. Their leaders had been trying to protect their vested political interests and had weakened the militants’ struggle from time to time he said without naming anyone.

The current struggle Chawla said was against the injustice and repression perpetrated on the Sikhs and to achieve political freedom for the Sikh quam. The Akali parties had made no contribution to this struggle.

The federation leader said the SSF was concerned at factionalism and divisions in Sikh organizations and favored unity among them. But the unity should only be among those who had been struggling against the govt after Operation Bluestar he held.

The federation he asserted would not allow the discredited Sikh leadership to decide the political future of the Sikhs.

The federation appealed to unanimously accepted Sikh personalities to work for the calling of a meeting of all Panthic forces under the patronage of the Damdami Taksal to plan a strategy to enable the Panth to face the present grave challenge. Only the coming together of like-minded organizations could provide a solid direction to the struggle the Statement said.

 

Article extracted from this publication >> August 9, 1991