Chandigarh, May 30
Appreciating the firm resolve to continue the social boycott of Dera Sacha Sauda as envisaged in the one-page Gurmata issued by Sikh clergy from Akal Takht yesterday, various Sikh organisations have promised a peaceful protest march from historic Fatehgarh Sahib tomorrow.
The protesters would recite Gurbani during the peaceful march from the historic Gurdwara Shaheed Ganj to Gurdwara Jyoti Sarup before an 11-member delegation would proceed to the Raj Bhavans of Punjab and Haryana. Here, they would submit copies of the memoranda, demanding expediting the investigations against the activities of the dera and its chief Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh.
While the Punjab government has issued strict instructions to district administrations of both Fatehgarh Sahib and Mohali to maintain peace, communal harmony and order, various Sikh organisations, too, have appealed their followers to avoid carrying lathis or swords.
“Since we have promised thee people of Punjab in our election manifesto to ensure peace and development, we will follow the Gurmata in its letter and spirit and allow the Sikh sangat to register its protest in a democratic and peaceful manner without allowing saboteurs a field day,” said Harcharan Bains, media adviser to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.
Against the original edict of a peaceful procession from Fatehgarh Sahib to Chandigarh, the procession would now be from one historic gurdwara to another, after which the Sikh sangat would disburse. Sources said Punjab government had considered the other option of allowing the entire procession to come to Chandigarh. However, this was
considered “unrealistic” as anti-social elements could use the occasion to disrupt the peace, create mayhem and chaos to embarrass the government as well as defeat the purpose of the peaceful protest as envisaged in the Gurmata.
Hence, a decision was taken that a symbolic protest march would be organised after which only the delegation would proceed to Chandigarh to submit copies of the memorandum to the two governors.
While the Punjab government has issued strict instructions to the district administrations of both Fatehgarh Sahib and Mohali to maintain peace, communal harmony and order, various Sikh organisations, too, have issued appeals to their followers to avoid carrying lathis or swords.
“ The Gurmata issued by Akal Takht is the best thing to happen. It is the only way out. Now when the entire nation has accepted the apology tendered by the dera, a peaceful fight can continue for the social boycott of the dera and its followers,” says former chairman of the national commission for minorities and Rajya Sabha member Tarlochan Singh. Tarlochan Singh had played the role of a peacemaker throughout the controversy and acted as a resource person for the all-religion delegation.
“It is more of a religious procession which has to be peaceful to give a strong and firm message to those who have been resorting to blasphemous activities, including imitating Sikh Gurus and sacred Sikh ceremonies,” remarked Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, general secretary of the Shiromani Akali Dal and Lok Sabha member from Sangrur.
“Strength lies in unity and peaceful protest. It is indeed creditable that the Gurmata of the Jathedars has been appreciated by various Sikh organisations, including the Damdami Taksal, the Dal Khalsa and the Akal Federation, besides various factions of the Shiromani Akali Dal.”
Appreciating the Gurmata issued from Akal Takht, Dhindsa said that it not only was in accordance with the Sikh ethos and respected the sentiments of the followers of this modern religion but also held a stern warning to the dera which had been “sacrilegious” in some of its recent actions.
“It is all the more creditable as both the Sikh high priests and the Punjab government headed by Parkash Singh Badal have handled this highly explosive controversy with great tact and firmness. Communal harmony, peace and order were not allowed to be disturbed throughout the controversy,” said Dhindsa.
Appreciating the restraint exercised by people in Punjab, he said that they had given a strong message to the rest of the world that by remaining peaceful, they had forced the dera to relent and tender an apology.
Punjab pradesh Congress committee chief Shamsher Singh Dullo and leader of the opposition in the Vidhan Sabha Rajinder Kaur Bhattal also maintained that a “peaceful resolve is the need of the hour. No one should be allowed to disturb the hard-earned peace, communal harmony and order in the state.”
They also held that they would support all those initiatives which were for the maintenance of peace and law and order in the state.
Sources in the Punjab government also reiterated that “peace will be maintained at all costs.”
Security personnel in adequate strength will be deployed at Fatehgarh Sahib and along the route of the procession tomorrow to ensure that the event passes off peacefully. All necessary precautionary steps have been taken.
