AMRITSAR: In a multi-target drama, the Indian intelligence last week forged a letter aimed at discrediting Akal Takhat with a view to helping the Badal group politically.
The letter was purported to be one written by Indian foreign secretary K. Srinivasan to the country’s high commissioner in London Dr. L. M. Singhvi. It claimed that Akal Takhat Jathedar Prof. Manjit Singh had been sent to Britain and the U.S.A. on a “Special mission” and was to be provided special security, A report of his daily activities was to be sent to the control room in Delhi, The special mission was to bring back sympathizers and Supporters of militants in to the national mainstream. It was further Stated in the so-called letter that Prof. Manjit Singh had undertaken the mission for RAW which paid him R.s. 1.5 crore in foreign currency.
Significantly, the “letter was carried by The Tribune one of whose senor reporters Is Said to be on the pay roll of the Intelligence, Further, this reporter campaigned with Other reporters that they should also report the” sensational letter.” But others did not oblige and at least initially ignored the “letter.”
Seasoned Journalists had smacked of mischief behind the document. They were vindicated later when a spokesman of India’s external affairs ministry described the letter as a ‘forgery” and totally baseless.
The Indian spokesman reacted only when S.G.P.C. chief Gurcharan Singh Tohra protested against the attack On Akal Takhat by the Indian intelligence and threatened to sue the government and The Tribune.
Meanwhile, as expected the Badal group has tried to make maximum capital out of the forgery. While Badal himself silent, he unleashed his minor functionaries t0 discredit Akal Takhat and a Jalandhar daily helped Badal to the hilt by displaying the forged news.
World Sikh News
The international Voice of the Sikh _ Community
Article extracted from this publication >> August 26, 1994
