TALWANDI (LUDHIANA): The SGPC president, Gurcharan Singh Tohra, Jan.9 called for the a banding of all factions of the Akali Dal and suggested the formation of all member committee to initiate a fresh membership drive for electing the president of the Shiromani Akali dal.
Addressing a large congregation at the bhog ceremony held in connection with the Lohri festival a village of Jagdey Sing! Talwandi president Akali Da (Talwandi) Tohra emphasized the unity among the Akalis was the need of the hour unless we are united we will not be able to face the onslaught of the govern ment which is bent upon finishing the Sikh Panth he warned.
He pointed out that new members were to be inducted into the Akali Dal after every two) years and the president of the dal every year under the constitution of the party. This had not happened for a long time now.
The SGPC chief said an 11-members committee should be set up for fresh enrollment in the Akali Dal after which the committee should organize elections at the village circle and district levels finally delegates for the general house of the Dal should be elected. The newly elected delegates should be asked to elect the president of the Shiromani Akali Dal under the supervision of the committee. The elected leader should be accepted the president by all.
Tohra criticized the Punjab Government for the ouster of Dr. Khem Singh Gill former Vice Chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University. He said Gill had been forced to vacate his official residence merely a day after the expiry of his term. Dr. Gill was entitled to retain the house for three months he maintained. Tohra also criticized the detention of Simranjit Singh Mann and
his associates by the state government and sought their immediate release Surjit Singh Barnal former Chief Minister speaking on the occasion stressed the need for Akali unity.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 21, 1994
