ANANDPUR SAHIB: The Damdami Taksal and the All India Sikh ‘Student Federation have already begun preparations for the Holla Mohalla celebrations being held here later this week. The activists Of the Taksal and the Federation are constructing the stage at a place where the main Diwan is held, A huge Shamiana has already been put up and Mr. Bhupinder Singh Khandi, General Secretary of Hoshiarpur circle of All India Sikh Student Federation, said that they propose to start the Diwan on March 25th, The Shromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee which generally organizes the Diwan has selected at least three places but has yet to start preparation. The main man, Mr. ‘Amrik Singh Jaura who was nominated Chief of Budha Dal Nihangs in place of Baba Santa Singh by the Sarbat Khalsa called by the Taksal and the Federation on Jan 26th. Is camping in Shahidi Bagh accompanied with about 100 armed followers, Mr. Santa Singh when usually leads these processions is yet to reach the place. Mr. Amrik ‘Singh said that they had come on March 18th for the Hulla Mohalls celebrations, He said that since he was elevated to the position of the Chief of the Dal, he will lead the procession on March 22nd as per the tradition. Asked if Mr. Santa Singh will be allowed to come to ‘Anandpur Sahib to which Mr. Amrik Singh said that since he had been excommunicated from the panth therefore he will not be permitted to enter the Shaheedi Bagh or lead the procession but he can offer his prayers at the Gurdwara.

Article extracted from this publication >> March 28, 1986