From Our Special Correspondent
Chandigarh, India — The United Akali Dal has launched an offensive to mobilize the Sikhs against voting in the ensuing elections in Punjab. Baba Joginder Singh, acting Convener of the party, despite his failing health, is himself addressing meetings at various places. During the last two days he addressed meetings at Gurdwara Guru Ka Bagh near Ajnala, Taran Tarn and Isewal in Ludhiana. He is scheduled to attend the meeting at RampuraPhul, Bhulath, Kapurthala, Zira, Ferozepur, Malerkotla, Barnala in Districts of Gurdaspur and Ludhiana during the coming one week. Baba Joginder Singh is usually accompanied by Major Gen. Narinder Singh (Retd.), S. Jagdev Singh Talwandi and Ujjagar Singh Sekhwan. Ten to twenty thousand people are attending Baba’s meetings daily who are however considered a committed lot to Bhindranwale’s slogan. Whenever they are called to express their opinion, each listener raises his hand in support of the Boycott. Speaking at Taran Tarn and Guru Ka Bagh, Baba Joginder Singh said that the government has launched a propaganda campaign against their group calling them terrorists” and “extremists.” He said that their Dal stands for unity and it is based on equal rights and due share. The govt. he stated had not changed and it was going through the same attitude for which Pakistan had to be formed. Appealing to the Sikhs to partake Amrit and be ready to face oppression. The govt. was determined to create Khalsa Raj. He asked Sikhs not to cast their votes in order to blunt anti Panthic and antinational forces. He said that they don’t oppose any party or candidate but are opposing the election on principle.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 20, 1985
