Peace at all costs, says Badal
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Feb 4 — The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, said here today that peace would not be allowed to be disturbed in the state at any cost.

He said this in the context of the statement made by the Jathedar of Akal Takht, Bhai Ranjit Singh, on February 2 at Amritsar that the Panth should ensure there was no bloodshed at the time of the tercentenary celebrations like Baisakhi of 1978 when 13 Sikhs were killed by Nirankaris.

The violent events of Baisakhi of 1978 would not be allowed to recur during the tercentenary celebrations at Anandpur Sahib, Mr Badal said. The government would maintain communal harmony and law and order by all means, he asserted.

Following Bhai Ranjit Singh's statement, the political parties, especially the Congress and CPI, fear that peace will be endangered and militancy and violence would stage a comeback in Punjab. Reacting to the Jathedar's statement, the Congress stated that there was a "sinister" design to disturb peace in the state.

Even the BJP, an alliance partner in the Punjab Government, has made a statement that "it is a very serious challenge thrown by the Jathedar to the people of Punjab in particular and the country in general". Making a statement, Mr Balramji Dass Tandon, Leader of the BJP Legislative Party, has taken exception to the Jathedar's remarks.

As Mr Badal was talking about maintaining peace in the state, perhaps the statements made by the Congress, the CPI, the BJP with regard to the February 2 developments in the Golden Temple were on his mind.

Replying to a question with regard to the direction given to him by the Jathedar of Akal Takht to pledge that the Khalsa tercentenary would be celebrated according to the "quami agenda" and as per Sikh traditions, Mr Badal said he had not received any letter so far in this connection from Bhai Ranjit Singh.

"I am waiting for the letter," Mr Badal said, adding that it would not be wise to say something on the basis of reports in the print media.

When asked that Bhai Ranjit Singh had stated that April 14 should be "reserved" for "sangat" to celebrate the tercentenary, Mr Badal said arrangements would be made in such a way at Anandpur Sahib that nobody faced any difficulty. He said although invitations had been extended to the President, the Vice-President and the Prime Minister, their confirmations were awaited.

It would be his effort to bring "all" respectfully for participation in the celebrations, he said, when asked whether he would invite the Jathedar of Akal Takht for participation in the celebrations.

About the appointment of the new DGP, Mr Badal said the decision would be taken only after the decision of the Punjab and Haryana High Court with regard to a writ petition filed by Mr P.C. Dogra, Punjab police chief. He lauded the services rendered by Mr Dogra.

When asked why ministers of his Cabinet and MLAs had not declared their assets and properties so far, Mr Badal said he had constituted a committee for formulating a code of conduct for the Ministers, Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, Mr Chiranji Lal Garg and Mrs Upinderjit Kaur, all ministers, were members of this committee. All things, including the declaration of assets, would be made part of the code of conduct.

Panel hearing on Feb 25
From Our Correspondent

AMRITSAR, Feb 4 — The Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission today fixed February 25 for hearing of the petition moved by an SGPC member, Mr Sarup Singh Dhesi, against 10 pro-Badal executive members for their disqualification from the SGPC since they have become 'patit'.

The petition which was moved before the commission consisting of Mr Manmohan Singh Brar, Chairman, and Mr Amrik Singh Randhawa and Mr Ajwant Singh Mann, members, was fixed for hearing today but as notices could not be served on the respondents, the commission postponed it to February 25.

The petition against Mr G.S. Tohra, President, Mr Sukhdev Singh Bhaur and three pro-Tohra executive members would also come up for regular hearing that day.

Mr Dhesi's petition which was filed on January 1 further prays that the 10-executive members who aligned with the Chief Minister and Akali Dal chief, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, be asked to obey the "hukamnama" issued by Akal Takht on December 31 which sought truce in the fight of Mr Badal and Mr Tohra till April 15 for smooth celebrations of the tercentenary of the Sikh Panth.

The application which was moved under Section 142 of the Sikh Gurdwaras Act of 1925 had also prayed for an interim ex-parte injunction against these members for causing any hindrance in the working of the SGPC and restraining them from carrying on "nefarious activities causing harm to the Sikh nation".

The respondents in this case are the same who are petitioners against the case before the commission against Mr Tohra and others. They are Mr Hardalbir Singh Shah, Mr Kewal Singh, Junior Vice-President, Mr Raghujit Singh Virk, Mr Balbir Singh Pannu, General Secretary, Mr Bhagwant Singh, Mr Satnam Singh, Mr Suba Singh, Mr Mal Singh Ghuman, Mr Gurpal Singh Gora and Mr Joga Singh.

Meanwhile, counsel for Mr Tohra and four other executive members, Mr Surjit Singh Sood, were being given the necessary documents by the commission to enable him to file an appeal in the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

The SGPC Secretary, Mr Surjit Singh, said the SGPC had given clearance for filing an appeal in the high court but it is yet to get the order of the commission for convening an executive meeting on February 10.