Thursday, April 15, 1999
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Thursday, April 15, 1999 |
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Tohra camp for third
front ANANDPUR SAHIB, April 14 — During the week-long celebrations of the tercentenary of the Khalsa here Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra's loyalists clearly distanced themselves from the BJP. They did not veer towards the Congress. Instead they gave clear signs of aligning with the third front consisting of regional parties. 1984 riots:
SAD to move resolution |
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 AmritsarAnandpur Sahib Ferozepore Ludhiana Patiala
Badal ‘wasted’ 400 cr on
self-glorification |
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Nishan-e-Khalsa winners ANANDPUR SAHIB, April 14 — To mark the tercentenary of the birth of the Khalsa, the Anandpur Sahib Foundation headed by Shiromani Akali Dal president and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal awarded the Order of Nishan-e-Khalsa to 80 most prominent Sikhs of the century. Few join exhibition of relics
A
crime-free zone, claims SP 8
pilgrims hurt in accident Mann's
demand 'treacherous' Baisakhi
celebrated with gaiety Terrorism
victims go without pension, threaten stir Birth
anniversary of Ambedkar celebrated Beopar
mandal to go ahead with stir plan |
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News analysis ANANDPUR SAHIB, April 14 — During the week-long celebrations of the tercentenary of the Khalsa here Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra's loyalists clearly distanced themselves from the BJP. They did not veer towards the Congress. Instead they gave clear signs of aligning with the third front consisting of regional parties. They differ from Mr Parkash Singh Badal loyalists. They assert their separate identity by assigning an overriding role to the SGPC and Akal Takht. A Sikh Samaj leader Baba Sarbjot Singh Bedi encapsulated this assertion by asking for the amendment to All-India Gurdwara Act and autonomy for Akal Takht from political leaders, including of Akali persuasion. "There was also the need of Sikh personal law and establishing clear relations with those parties which stand for autonomy of states and a true federal character of India. "Till then, we would not feel completely free", declaimed Mr Tohra. This also explains why Mr Tohra reacted immediately and sharply to the demand of Khalistan raised by Mr Simranjit Singh Mann. he chided him and said that it was his demand and others do not support it. Even a peaceful struggle to achieve this demand was not acceptable. There are two reasons for this focussed reaction of Mr Tohra. One, he is wary of disrupting peace in the state. Second, Mr Tohra is keen on establishing relations with the third front and other minority parties. Mr Tohra in order to mark himself out would raise issues that concern Sikhs as a minority and also try to galvanise Sikhs outside Punjab on this issue. Mr Tohra and Bhai Ranjit Singh's tone was strident, but cautious. This kind of politics often degenerates into lumpen communal politics. Besides issues related to the past, present and future of the Khalsa the role of religion in humanising people or at times pushing them in the cauldron of communalism was also discussed during the week. In this context, Mr Badal after having removed Mr Tohra from the SGPC has embarked upon his own agenda. In today's sarv dharam sammelan different religious leaders talked about Sikhism, but none mentioned directly the trail of violence left on its name in the recent past. Nevertheless, the mood among the people was of peace and development. And this was reiterated by Mr Badal repeatedly. The participation of Chief of the Army Staff Gen V P Malik, Air Force chief Air Marshal A Y Tipnis and Army bands shows Sikhs are in no mood to recall the face of the Army that staged Operation Bluestar. In the same light could
be seen the presence of Congress leaders. Some of them
were also presented with siropas. Here the remark of Mr
Badal about Mr Sharad Pawar, Leader of the Opposition in
the Lok Sabha, that he was the future leader of India, is
significant. |
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1984 riots TALWANDI SABO, April 14 — The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) will move a resolution in Parliament for condemning the 1984 riots and for punishing those guilty. Stating this at a press conference here today, SAD general secretary and MP Balwinder Singh Bhunder said the resolution would be moved in this session or the next session of the Parliament. Reacting to the repeated attacks made by PPCC president Amarinder Singh on Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, he said Capt Amarinder Singh was making baseless statements. About the demand for Khalistan raised by Mr Simranjit Singh Mann at Anandpur Sahib yesterday, he said peace would be maintained at all cost and no body would be allowed to disturb the law and order situation. He said the stand of the SAD was clear on Khalistan as it had its own written constitution and party affairs were being conducted within limits of the Constitution. He, however, said in a democratic set-up, no body could be prevented from making any sort of a demand. When asked whether Union Food Minister Surjeet Singh Barnala had violated party discipline by sharing the stage with Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra at Anandpur Sahib yesterday, he said there was no violation of party discipline and added that Mr Barnala attended the function in individual capacity. He said this city would be developed into a modern and educational city in a planned way and that the Punjab Government was committed to setting up a university here. Later, addressing a
gathering at Diwan Hall, he appealed to the people to
create a casteless and classless society. |
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Badal ‘wasted’ 400
cr on self-glorification TALWANDI SABO, April 14 — The President of the Lok Bhalai Party, Mr Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, today said the Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, had wasted Rs 400 crore at Anandpur Sahib on self-glorification instead of spreading the message of Guru Gobind Singh on the tercentenary of the birth of the Khalsa. Addressing an impressive gathering at the party conference organised here on the occasion of Baisakhi, Mr Ramoowalia alleged that by blatant use of government machinery, Mr Badal had indulged in self-glorification at Anandpur Sahib instead of glorification of the Khalsa. He added the self-centred approach of Mr Badal had defeated the purpose for which the tercentenary was being celebrated. In a significant statement, Mr Ramoowalia said Mr Badal had brought to the fore the culture of bitterness among Punjabis on the occasion of the tercentenary for promoting his family members in politics. He pointed out that Mr Badal belonged to that clan which opposed the creation of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699 at Anandpur Sahib. He added that Mr Badal had reduced the tercentenary occasion to a "picnic of riches" as no policies were announced to fight against atrocities being committed on the poor and downtrodden, create a casteless and classless society, generate employment opportunities and create infrastructure in Punjab. He added that he opposed
the establishment of a new city near Anandpur Sahib which
was announced by Mr Badal yesterday. He said it would be
another attempt at wastage of money. This amount should
be used for eradicating poverty and unemployment from
Punjab, known as food basket of the country. He pointed out that all
plans made by Mr Badal for celebrating the tercentenary
were feudal in nature and were against the spirit which
was behind the creation of the Khalsa. He said,
corruption had touched new heights, government jobs were
for sale and religion was being used for politics. |
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Nishan-e-Khalsa winners ANANDPUR SAHIB, April 14 — To mark the tercentenary of the birth of the Khalsa, the Anandpur Sahib Foundation headed by Shiromani Akali Dal president and Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal awarded the Order of Nishan-e-Khalsa to 80 most prominent Sikhs of the century. The awards were presented at an impressive gathering in the main hall. Among the awardees are some legendary heroes of the freedom struggle, certain top Akali leaders, those Sikh officers who rose to high positions in the government to serve the country and many others who have excelled in the fields of science, medicine, teaching and arts. Following are the
recipients of the Order of Nishan-e-Khalsa: The legendary
Bhagat Singh, Ajit Singh, Baba Gurdit Singh and Baba
Sohan Singh Bhakna, Akali leaders Sant Fateh Singh, Sant
Harchand Singh Longowal, Giani Kartar Singh and Master
Tara Singh, religious leader Baba Kharak Singh, freedom
fighters Udham Singh, Kartar Singh Sarabha, Sikh scholars
Sewa Singh Thikriwala, Bhai Randhir Singh, Baba Ram
Singh, Giani Ditt Singh, Bhai Gurmukh Singh, Gurmukh
Singh Chabal, Sant Darshan Singh Pheruman, war heroes
Flying Officer Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon, Major Gian Singh,
Sub Hon Lt Gurbux Singh, Lt-Gen J.S. Arora, and Capt
Mohan Singh Kohli, former Union Cabinet Secretary S.S.
Grewal, scientists and administrator Dr M.S. Randhawa,
financial expert Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Prithipal Singh
Maini, Daljit Singh, K.S. Chug, J.S. Bajaj, Jagjit Singh
Hara, and Bhai Mohan Singh (doctors), industrialist
Raunak Singh, writers Khushwant Singh, Kartar Singh
Duggal, Bhai Harbans Lal and Bhai Jodh Singh, Principal
Teja Singh, Bhai Vir Singh and Prof Puran Singh and legal
luminaries Justice Ranjit Singh Sarkaria, Justice R.S.
Narula, Justice Surjit Singh Sandhawalia, Justice Sukhdev
Singh Kang and Justice Swinder Singh Sodhi. |
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Few join exhibition of
relics ANANDPUR SAHIB April 14 — Even as the Khalsa tercentenary function witnessed a record turnout, apathy on the part of the state government resulted in the exhibition of the weapons, ornaments, clothing and utensils used by Guru Gobind Singh and presented to various beloved ones during his lifetime being a half-hearted affair. As many as 127 families in the country are heir to the Guru's priceless relics and the tercentenary celebrations would have afforded lakhs of pilgrims an opportunity to see these. While one exhibition of relics the collection of one individual, the other has limited exhibits sent by three families from their collection. Mr Harvinder Singh Khalsa, who singlehandedly collected hundreds of items, including the Standard of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, which flew for 40 years atop the Lahore Fort, said that he went all over the country and secured the approval of more than 35 families to send their collections for the benefit of the people. When he approached the present government for help, he was told to submit a list of those who wanted to participate in the exhibition. At the eleventh hour, only three families came forward with their collections and he had to bring a part of his collection and hold a separate show. The largest ever display of this kind was put up by Maharaja Yadvindra Singh of Patiala in 1949, on the eve of the Sarv Hind Vidyapak Conference, he informed. Some of his prized collections include signatures of Guru Ramdass, Guru Hargobind, Guru Har Rai, Guru Arjan Dev, Guru Teg Bahadur and Guru Gobind Singh from various documents written by them, besides hand-written hukamnamas issued by Mata Sundri Ji, Mata Sahib Kaur ji and Sahib Singh Bedi. Mr Harvinder Singh said his collection included two hand-written Dasam Granths and "patther chappa" treatises, hand-written religious books and assorted 'pothis', all more than 200 years old. Besides, he has an enviable collection of Nanakshahi and Mughal era coins, some exquisitely carved 'rakabs' (stirrups) of the noblemen of yore and a huge collection of some "never seen before" photographs of the shaheedi jathas that took part in various morchas. One of the photographs shows the capturing of some buildings of the Golden Temple in July 1955, at the height of the Punjabi Suba Morcha. The rare photographs also include the ones of the damaged Guru Granth Sahib during the Nankana Sahib Saka in 1921, of the Shaheedi Jathas that came to participate in the Guru Ka Bag Morcha in 1922 from Canada, Sumatra, Shanghai and Hong Kong. Similarly, there are photographs of the protesters of the morcha being beaten up by the police and the cremation of the Nanakana Sahib martyrs. He also has a large collection of the Gadri babas and important figures of the freedom struggle dating from 1849 to 1947. He also possesses the original Re 1 Panth Azad Fund notes floated by Master Tara Singh in 1954 to collect money to reportedly fund the Punjabi Suba movement. The original draft constitution of the Shiromani Akali Dal, signed by then Secretary Ajmer Singh (not on display) and some well-preserved wall paintings were also shown to TNS. He also has the complete collection of all the stamps released by the government on Sikh personalities and institutions. While awaiting official
recognition and funds to preserve this priceless legacy,
he is presently working on bringing out a catalogue of
his collection. Next in line, is a complete history of
the places visited by the Guru. |
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Big demand for kirpans ANANDPUR SAHIB , April 14 — Kirpans, pure gold and silver commemorative medallions and posters carrying logo of the tercentenary celebrations of the birth of Khalsa have been most sought after items on sale here. While kirpans, both big and small, have not only remained in short supply but also witnessed an increase in prices, varying between Rs 5 and Rs 15 per piece depending upon the size and material used. For example, an ordinary three- inch kirpan was quoted at a minimum of Rs 40 per piece against a normal price of Rs 30 to Rs 35 a piece. Similarly, a three-feet kirpan with steel handle was quoted at Rs 115 a piece against the normal price of Rs 95 to Rs 100. Similarly, a three-feet kirpan with brass head was being sold for Rs 150 a piece against the regular price of Rs 130. The increase in the prices of kirpans, the shopkeepers said, was mainly because of short supply from manufacturers in Amritsar. Other reason, they said, was bulk purchases made by some saints for baptisation. Posters and pictures of Sikh Gurus and historic shrines carrying logos of the tercentenary celebrations were in great demand. The demand for other items was normal, the shopkeepers said. On the other hand, limited edition of pure gold and silver commemorative medallions brought out by the Punjab Small Industries and Export Corporation were a major attraction among affluent visitors, including Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to this historic town. For example, the local branch of the Punjab and Sind Bank, which was authorised to sell these medallions made from specially imported gold and silver from Switzerland and manufactured by MMTC, a Central Government organisation, recorded a brisk sale of these medallions. During the past two days, the branch sold nearly 700 medallions, including 350 gold medallions against cash payment. A woman NRI from Canada bought six gold and silver medallions each."This sale will continue tomorrow also and we hope to sell about 1,000 medallions in all," says Mr Balbir Singh Anand, Manager of the branch. Punjab National Bank, another authorised bank to sell these medallions, however, did not open either yesterday or today. It was the only of the four banks here which remained closed after the Punjab Government declared a holiday on April 13 under the Negotiable Instruments Act. Today was also a holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act. But the other banks — the State Bank of Patiala, the Bank of Punjab and the Punjab and Sind Bank — had extended banking hours since April 8. These banks have been working from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. to the convenience of visitors. The Bank of Punjab, for example, booked 40 commemorative medallions to be supplied to customers from Chandigarh branches of the bank from tomorrow. The State Bank of Patiala has also set up two special extension counters. Like Punjab and Sind Bank, the State Bank is also offering coins and new currency notes besides foreign exchange facilities to the visitors here. "We have been transacting business worth Rs 5 lakh a day since April 8, says Mr B.D. Shankhyan, Deputy Manager of the bank. The bank has coins of Re 1, 2 and 5 worth Rs 5 lakh available. Besides, the bank has been issuing new currency notes of Rs 10 denomination to visitors. Though there has been limited foreign exchange transactions as visitors from the USA, Britain and Canada were carrying limited foreign currency. The bank, however, could not accept Pakistani currency for exchange. The Bank of Punjab also accepted Pakistani currency. "But the exchange rate is too low. We are giving 40 paise to a Pakistani rupee. This is the market rate," says Mr Harvinder Singh, who has been managing a special foreign exchange counter of Bank of Punjab here. "We have also been
offering coins and new currency notes to visitors to
facilitate their offerings at gurdwaras and other
places," he added. |
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A crime-free zone, claims
SP ANANDPUR SAHIB, April 14 — "Except a few complaints of mi- nor nature, this city of bliss, otherwise, is a crime-free zone now a days", claims Mr Gurmeet Singh, SP (Operation), Ropar, and coordinator for the security arrangements in the mela area during the Khalsa tercentenary celebrations. The SP said only two-three cases of missing children had come to the notice of the police during the past week. The children were restored to their parents. He also admitted that one or two cases of pick-pocketing had also been reported. Besides, no major traffic hazard had occurred. He said, no FIR had been registered, so far, in the mela area. * * * * General V.P. Malik, the Chief of the Army Staff, paid obeisance this afternoon at the Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib. He was presented with a siropa. He presented a "roomala" at the takht on behalf of the Indian Army. He also went around various projects of the Khalsa heritage complex. Though the Congress party held one-day political conference here yesterday, but the 'Shashtras' of Guru Gobind Singh, which were brought here on Monday as part of the 'Sarbansdani Shardha Yatra' by the PPCC, will remain on display here till tomorrow noon. 'Dasmesh Jyoti' brought from the Takht Sri Patna Sahib has also been kept in a decorated vehicle. * * * * A cassette titled "Panj Pyare" was released here today by Mr Sewa Singh Sekhwan, Punjab Public Relations Minister. The cassette has six songs sung among others by Sapna Awasthi, Alka Yagnik, Kavita Krishnamurthi. * * * * The Transport
Department, Punjab, provided free bus service in the mela
area. Fifty buses of private operators were engaged in
the service. The buses shuttled between the parking sites
and the main bus stand. |
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8 pilgrims hurt in
accident ANANDPUR SAHIB, April 14 — Eight pilgrims were injured, two of them seriously, when a Hamirpur-bound bus of Haryana Roadways and an autorickshaw carrying pilgrims from here to Kaithal met with an accident near Bunga Sahib village, 13 km from here, this morning. According to police sources, the injured were shifted to Civil Hospital, Ropar, after first aid at Kiratpur Sahib. Doctors attending on the patients said two seriously injured persons — Satnam Singh (22) of Amritsar and Teja Singh (65) of Paresh Majra village in Kaithal — had been referred to the PGI, Chandigarh. The other injured were
Swaran Kaur of Aurn village (Patiala), Bant Kaur (60) of
Sallora village, Sant Kaur (60) of Paresh Majra village
(Kaithal), Rajinder Kaur of Kherra Gulam Wali (Kaithal),
Piara Singh of Gobindpur (Kaithal) and Mohinder Kaur (35)
of Gobindpur (Kaithal). |
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Mann's demand 'treacherous' CHANDIGARH, April 14 — The Punjab BJP legislative party chief, Mr Balramji Dass Tandon, today took strong exception to the demand of "Khalistan" raised by Mr Simranjit Singh Mann at Anandpur Sahib yesterday. In a statement issued here Mr Tandon said Mr Mann was in the habit of raising such separatist demands. The Punjab State Council Communist Party of India has also condemned Mr Mann's demand for "Khalistan". Mr Bhupinder Samber, Mr
Bant Brar and Mr Gurnam Kanwar (all members of the
Secretariat of Punjab CPI) described the demand as
treacherous. |
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Baisakhi celebrated with gaiety HUSSAINIWALA (Ferozepore), April 14 — Thousands of men, women and children from in and around Ferozepore, came here, to participate in a mela held in connection with Baisakhi. They paid obeisance at the samadhis of Sardar Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev and Punjab Raj Mata, mother of Bhagat Singh. A large number of devotees also took a dip in the Sutlej. The SDM-cum-mela officer, Mr DPS Kharbanda said divers were kept ready in case of any eventuality and first aid posts had been set up. He said special trains and buses were being run between Ferozepore and Hussainiwala for the convenience of the public. MOGA: Baisakhi was celebrated with traditional fervour here on Wednesday as part of the tercentenary celebrations of the Khalsa when lakhs of devotees took dip in the sacred sarovars at Muktsar, Nanaksar and Takhtpura in the district. Towns of the region were decorated and nagar kirtans were taken out on Tuesday. Langars and chhabils were organised by various social organisations. A Baisakhi mela was held at Darolibhai, near here. HOSHIARPUR: A Baisakhi was celebrated with great enthusiasm here. Thousands of devotees thronged Dera Baba Charan Shah Bahadurpur. A big fair was held at Kaleshwar Mahadev in Himachal Pradesh where thousands of devotees took dip in the Beas and in Punj Tirathi. An annual congregation at Manavta Mandir, Hoshiarpur, was also held. PHAGWARA: Baisakhi celebrations were marred here when a youth Kaka, was drowned while taking a holy dip in the sacred sarovar here. The 20-year-old youth was resident of the local Kaurian Mohalla. The body had been fished out of the sarovar. Reports of Baisakhi
celebrations were also received from Phillaur, Batala,
and Jawalamukhi. |
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Terrorism victims go without
pension, threaten stir AMRITSAR, April 14 — The 300th year of the birth of Khalsa panth and Baisakhi celebration has lost its meaning for the thousand odd families of terrorism victims, old pensioners and handicaps as the Punjab Government has failed to pay their monthly pension for past over six to seven months. Talking to The Tribune reporter here a terrorism victim, Mr Soma Devi, castigated the government for rendering her family to the present state of poverty and added that the government had no right to organise the celebrations at such a large scale when it could not provide pension for past so many months. Soma Devi had lost her husband, a small shopkeeper, to terrorist bullets in Lopoke village leaving her to look after the family of four children. Veeran, another widow, declared that they had been left with no choice but to sit at dharna outside the residence of the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal from April 17 onwards till all their demands were not accepted which include regular payment of monthly pension, job for their children and an assurance to treat these families as the responsibility of the state. Echoing their sentiments, BJP MLA Luxmikanta Chawla, who had invited these families to her house in the city, lamented the apathetic and callous attitude of the state government towards these destitute families. She sought a statement from the Chief Minister about the payment of their pension within next few days otherwise she, along with all such families, would be staging a dharna at Chandigarh till all their problems were sorted out. Mrs Chawla expressed dismay that the government had enough funds for the celebrations but no money for these unfortunate families. She said that at present
there were over 1000 such families in this district alone
who had lost their breadwinner during the militancy
period and pointed out that it was the responsibility of
the state to now at least look after their welfare. |
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Birth anniversary of Ambedkar
celebrated AMRITSAR, April 14 — The 108th birth anniversary of Dr B.R. Ambedkar was celebrated with great fervour by the local Shri Guru Ravi Dass Welfare Trust Amritsar and the Bharat Ratna Dr B.R. Ambedkar Yadgar Committee. Mr Sohan Lal, Amrohi, leader of the committee, emphasised the teachings of Dr Ambedkar and urged people to follow his principles. A procession was also taken out on this occasion. A function was also organised at the Guru Nanak Bhavan City Centre in this regard. Blankets were distributed to widows and prizes given to students. LUDHIANA: A function was organised here on Wednesday to celebrate the birth anniversary of Dr Ambedkar. Earlier, leaders garlanded the statue of Dr Ambedkar at the Sabzi Mandi chowk. The Bahujan Samaj Party
also organised a function. |
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Beopar mandal to go ahead with LUDHIANA April 14 — The Punjab Pradesh Beopar Mandal has decided to go ahead with its agitation from next week despite a stay ordered by the state government on hike in sales tax and the imposition of sales tax on the first stage of a large number of items. In a statement issued here today, Mr Mahinder Aggarwal, general secretary of the mandal, said that while the traders were thankful to the government for holding in abeyance these imports, the government had refused to give relief to the hosiery industry where the rate of sales tax had been doubled. Mr Aggarwal said the hosiery industry was already reeling under the impact of recession and could not afford any additional burden. Meanwhile, Mr Sooraj
Dada, president, Punjab Auto Dealer's Association, and Mr
Ranbir Singh, Punjab Ball Bearing Dealers Association,
have expressed their gratitude to the Chief Minister, Mr
Parkash Singh, Badal, for staying the hike in sales tax
and said the government should rationalise the tax
structure in such a way that it was in tune with that
prevailing in the neighbouring states of Haryana,
Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir. |
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Punjabi University exams
postponed PATIALA, April 14 — Punjabi University has postponed by a week the undergraduate examinations which were scheduled to start from April 17. No change has been made in the schedule of postgraduate examinations. However, two examination centres will be changed. This decision was taken at an emergent meeting of university officials held here today after the joint action committee of management and staff of private colleges announced its decision to boycott all examinations of the university. The Dean, Academic Affairs, Dr B.S. Bhatia, said the revised date sheet of undergraduate examinations would be released in a day or two. The new centres would be
announced shortly. |
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GND University exams AMRITSAR, April 14
— All examinations of Guru Nanak Dev University and
at regional centre, Jalandhar, will be held as per
schedule. This was stated here today by Dr R.S. Bawa,
Registrar of the university. |
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