JAMMIU, India: Prof. Darshan Singh, former Jathedar of Akal Takht, has squarely blamed the Center for continued violence and blood-shed in Punjab and said that the tangle could be resolved only if the Center took an early initiative for resuming talks with accredited Sikh leaders. Prof. Darshan Singh was addressing a press conference after concluding his two day tour of Jammu. Mr. Ujaggar Sngh, the former President of UAD and Sant Makhan Singh were present at the news conference. The Jathedar alleged that the Center and its agents are always trying to sabotage the efforts for a settlement. He said about six months ago he had talks with Sushil Muni who gave him to understand that he had come to Darshan Singhas a representative of Rajiv Gandhi to find a solution for the Punjab crisis and assured him that Center would initiate talks but no such move was made by the Center.

Prof. Darshan Singh blamed the Center. For the announcements made for Khalistan by certain persons inside the Golden Temple as well as at Kesgarh Sahib. How these elements could make such announcements and escape while there was a heavy deployment of police and paramilitary forces all around those venues, he asked.

Article extracted from this publication >> January 29, 1988