Udham Singh Nagar
Tohra admits failure
From Our Correspondent

ANANDPUR SAHIB (Ropar), Sept 17 — Mr G.S. Tohra, MP, and SGPC chief today admitted that the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) could not stop the inclusion of Udham Singh Nagar into the proposed hill state of Uttaranchal.

Mr Tohra was talking to newsmen at Mata Nanki Nivas in the Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib complex here after presiding over a meeting of the SGPC executive committee. According to him no current issues relating to various crises, being faced by the Panth, were discussed at the meeting. Rather, the executive committee discussed various issues relating to the tercentenary celebrations of the birth of Khalsa Panth.

Mr Tohra said the policy of the SAD on the Udham Singh Nagar, issue was clear. Its members in Parliament would not cast their vote in favour of Uttaranchal and would oppose the Bill. However, Mr Tohra did not say if the SAD would continue its support to the BJP government at the Centre.

Regarding Ms Sonia Gandhi's proposed visit to Harmandir Sahib at Amritsar, Mr Tohra said being a VIP she would not be accorded a special welcome by the SGPC at the entrance as her family had done a lot of harm to the Sikhs.

However, Mr Tohra justified special welcome to Queen Elizabeth by the SGPC on the ground that she had not harmed the Sikhs in any way. Mr Tohra added that Sonia Gandhi could visit Harmandir Sahib at any time as the doors of the temple were open for all.

Reacting to a question regarding the war of words among jathedars of three Takhts, the SGPC chief said there was nothing to be discussed at the meeting of SGPC executive committee. However, he said, if there was any issue it was regarding the accounts of the World Sikh Council.

Regarding the demands of the state, Mr Tohra reiterated that Chandigarh should immediately be given to Punjab along with the Punjabi-speaking areas. He said there should be no dispute on river waters as "we are the only owners of the same."

Mr Tohra demanded that Article 356 should not be a part of the Constitution as it had been misused by various governments in the past. Even the SAD government was dismissed twice by using the Article.

The SGPC chief demanded that the Motor Vehicles Act should be amended to exempt Sikhs from wearing helmets.

Mr Tohra confirmed that the foundation stone of the Nishan-e-Khalsa would be laid by 'Panj Piaras'. About the reported visit of the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, to Anandpur Sahib on October 17 for laying a foundation stone of the azooba, Mr Tohra said he had no knowledge about this.

Discussing about the proceedings of today's meeting, Mr Tohra said the meeting had adopted a resolution for the white painting of 37 historical gurdwaras at Kiratpur Sahib and here.

The SGPC president also said that libraries would be opened in 300 historical gurdwaras as part of tercentenary celebrations. Besides, 300 books were being written by scholars. The SGPC had gathered information about 300 Sikh martyrs of the times of Gurus. A gallery would be set up in memory of these martyrs.

The library which is under construction here has been named after Mata Nanki, Mr Tohra added.