CHANDIGARH, India: Mr. Gurcharan Singh Tohra was elected President of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhic Committee defeating Giani Kabul Singh by a wide margin. Tohra polled 74 votes whereas Kabul Singh secured 58 votes. S. Hainder Singh, S. Ujjagar Singh Rangretta, S. Mal Singh Ghuman were elected senior vice President, vice President and General Secretary respectively. It was one of the most fiecely contested elections in the entire history of S.G.P.C. Punjab Chief Minister, Sunjit Singh Barnala, had high stakes. Money and other temptations flowed like water to woo voters. The Central government also used its resources to influence the election.
Elaborate police arrangements were made and security forces entered the Golden Temple to control the Sikh youth who were present in thousands. They raised slogans in favor of an independent Sikh state called Khalistan and also in support of Parkash Singh Badal, President Akali Dal (B). Reacting to Tohras election, Rajiv Gandhi expressed concern over the development and described it as “not in the interest of national integration”. He particularly expressed displeasure at the removal of security forces from around the gurdwaras and said that freedom fighters would again start operating from there. He said that situation has once again reverted to square one.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 5, 1986
