Amritsar — the president of the Akali Dal (T) Mr. Jagdev Singh Talwandi, on Sunday said only convening a meeting of the “‘Sarbat Khalsa” could bring about unity in the Sikh Panth.
He said this in regard to an appeal made by Sikh high priests urging all Sikh organizations to merge with the Akali Dal headed by Mr. Harchand Singh Longowal.
Addressing a meeting at Gurdwara in Killa ground here, Mr. Talwandi said witch hunting and finding fault with others by Akali leaders would never bring about unity in the Panth which was the prime “need of the hour.”’
Mr. Talwandi said the Government would not give any concession to the Akalis and they would have to fight for restoring the honor of the Sikhs.
Apparently dissatisfied with the high priests’ role. Mr. Talwandi said the priests should try to take some positive steps for bringing about lasting unity in the Panth.
An “akhand path’ was organized by the followers of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and activists of the AllIndia Sikh Students Federation at the Gurdwara in a bid to “thwart” the move of the local unit of the Akali Dal which tried to take its control.
On Saturday, procession taken out by the Akali Dal, as part of Baisakhi celebrations had ended at this Gurdwara. The participants had shouted proKalistan and pro Bhindranwale — slogans.
Addressing a gathering on Saturday at Talwandi Sabo near Bhatinda, Mr. Talwandi said he was not invited to attend the meeting convened by Mr. Harchand Singh Longowal at Amritsar on April 12 to finalize Akali Dal’s proposed action. He asked what the meaning of unity was when he and his supporters were being “knowingly” ignored.
Article extracted from this publication >> April 26, 1985