AMRITSAR: Amarjit Singh Chawla president of the Sikh Students Federation a breakaway group of the All India Sikh Students Federation suggested that the Center should hold talks with the Damdami Taksal to bring about a lasting peace in the state.

Chawla who remained in detention for about two years facing six cases under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Act including One pertaining to an attack on the late BJP stalwart Baldev Prakash admitted the state was relatively peaceful now He was released on bail last month after the police failed to file a challenge in six cases.

The government must redress the grievances of the Sikhs if it wants to have permanent results.  The freedom of the Sikhs and the establishment of a Sikh sovereign stale were the two issues of utmost importance for which he said his pany would keep striving in future.

Speaking to reporters he called upon like-minded followers of Jamail Singh Bhindranwale to forge a united front for waging the Struggle. The Taksal had been the seat of Bhindranwale and virtually dominated the political scene when militancy was raging

Chawla attributed the failure of the “militants” movement” to the corrupt and self-centered leadership of the Sikhs  Without naming anybody he said the Sikh leaders acted as stooges of the government and Jet the government agents infiltrate the militant ranks.

He demanded resignation of all leaders of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee including its chief Gurcharan Singh Tohra to make way for new leaders.

Article extracted from this publication >> January 21, 1994