AMRITSAR: V P Singh’s visit to the Golden Temple has been welcomed widely by political leaders, several Akali Dal factions and Sikh personalities but the All India Sikh Students Federation was guarded in its reaction.

In the New Delhi, the Janata Dal leader, Chandra Shekhar described the visit as a “good gesture”.

The Chief Minister of Haryana, Om Prakash Chautala, said the visit would not only help in bringing congenial atmosphere in Punjab, but would go a long way in strengthening HinduSikh relations in the country in general and Punjab in particular.

The Akali DalTalwand ii vice president, Prakash Singh Majitha and general secretary Manjit Singh Calcutta described the visit as a “new era” and said it would help restore peace in Punjab and India.

Describing the visit as “historic”, Jathedar Avtar Singh Hit, President, Delhi unit of unified Akali Dal said that it would heal the wounds inflicted by the Congress-I regime.

“His sudden visit to the Harmandir Sahib has rekindled a ray of hope among Sikhs”, said Jathedar Kuldip Singh Bhogal, president, riot victims relief committee adding that this would assuage the worked up feelings among the people of Punjab.

Khuswant Singh said if it is not going to solve the problem it would certainly create an atmosphere for dialogue. “my ideas on Punjab should be given top priority” he said.

In Chandigarh, the president of BJP, Punjab unit, Madan Mohan Mittal, said the visit has established the sincere desire of the central government to resolve the Punjab problem on top priority. He said the step was not only a healing touch but leads to winning the hearts and confidence of Punjabis as a whole.

However, Manjit Singh, president of the AISSF described it as “a good beginning” of the new government but said they would rather wait and watch the new governments steps. He said it was difficult to judge the intention of the new government unless V P Singh implemented their demands which among other things includes the release of all those connected with the Sikh struggle.

Article extracted from this publication >>  December 15, 1989