BATHINDA: A new, combined Sikh political party leaning towards militancy but pledged to a peaceful struggle for independent state is likely to be announced at Talwandi Sabo on April 13, according to Akali leaders. Addressing a joint press conference here early this week, Baba Joginder Singh, Bhai Kartar Singh Narang, Bhai Virsa Singh Valtoha and Bhai Manjit Singh Bhoma said that their talks with Bhai Simranjit Singh Mann were on and they expected good results. In reply to a question, the Sikh leaders said they saw no difference between “independent Sikh mule” and “Khalistan” but added their struggle would be along democratic and peaceful lines.
They promised an “important announcement” at the proposed conference at Talwandi Sabo but did not indicate the nature of such an announcement, They had no objection to other Akali leaders joining their conference provided they too owed allegiance to the concept of independent Sikh rule.
In a significant development, these Sikh leaders invited journalist Kuldip Nayar, cartoonist Rajinder Puri, Justice Ajit Singh Bains and leaders of Assam Students Union, Muslim League, Jharkhand and Uttar hand movements, Bahujan Samaj Party and Bharti Kisan Union to address the conference, The Sikh leaders said they objected to the appointment of Dr.Manjit Singh as jathedar of Akal Takhat and did not recognize him as such because the S.G.P.C. chief appointed him without consulting all groups and obtaining their consensus.
Ina resolution, the Sikh Leaders hailed the Madhya Pradesh high court judgment setting aside Indian President’s order dismissing that state’s B.J.Pled government some time ago. They said the judgment was against the Indian government’s dictatorial ways and what they hailed it despite serious differences with the BJ.P. The leaders further said that they would violate any orders banning their conference at Talwandi Sabo.
Article extracted from this publication >> April 9, 1993
