LUDHIANA: Baldev Singh Sibia, president of the Shiromani Gurdwara

Parbandhak Committee, who is also convener of the anti-repression action committee of 31 Sikh organizations, said here on Tuesday that an important meeting of the committee would be held here be- tween October 15 and 20 to chalk our future course of action to the alleged police repression in the state.

 Talking to newsmen here, Sibia said though the government had prevented the committee from holding its anti-repression rally at  Ludhiana on September 24 yet it was determined to continue is struggle through peaceful and democratic m He said the coming meeting would de how to intensify this struggle.

Asked about the threats from some militants to the action committee men Sibia said there have also been denying such threat. He said the Panthic Committee had also 3 from such threats. He revealed in the of these threats, only one member resigned. Bibi Kuldip kaur, leader of Istria Akali Dal has been made member of the committee in his place.

The SGPC chief opposed the pro induction of army into Punjab. He said the coming meeting would also decide how to oppose the deployment of army.  He termed as Monday’ s blast at Tam Taran Gurdwara was meant to prepare ground for am deployment, He said already the Chandr Shekhar govt had conducted a rehearsal army deployment. He said already the Chan Shekhar govt had conducted a rehearsal of army deployment.

Sibia said the action committee members would not join the state advisory commit- lee in protest against the continuing state repression. He learned the “khula being organized in various districts as farce being enacted to-befool the people.

He disclosed that the elections to various office bearers of the SGPC would’ beheld before Nov.30 next.

Earlier, Sibia presided over a meeting of the Nankana Sahib Education Trust at Guru Nanak Engineering College here. Other trustees present included the former SGPC chief, Gurucharan Singh Tohra. SGPC general secretary Mal Singh Ghuman Ajmar Singh Lakhowal Harinder Singh, Khalsa Basant, Singh  Khalsa and Dr. Harbans  Singh.

 The meeting appointed Tohra patron or the trust, it also welcomed the appointment of Harinder Singh Khalsa as secretary Of, the SGPC. Sibia said the need to appoint Khalsa was felt in addition to Manjit Singh Calcutta as the latter was not touring Out Side Gurdwaras. Khalsa would draw a monthly salary of Rs.7500.

Sibia said there should be no controversy about the kar -seva at Akal Takht. He said there has been an increase in the income of Gurdwaras in recent times. Last SGPC budget was Rs.35 crore but it was likely to be higher this year, he said.

Article extracted from this publication >> October 18, 1991