Editor earns Akal Takht's wrath
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, Aug 26 — After Mr Tara Singh Heyar, Editor of Canada-based Indo-Canadian Times, Mr Barjinder Singh Hamdard, Editor, Ajit, and a member of the Rajya Sabha, have earned the wrath of Akal Takht.

In an open letter to Mr Hamdard, released to the press at a hurriedly called press conference here this evening, the Takht chief, Bhai Ranjit Singh appealed to the "sangat" not to be misled by the "blashphemous reports and editorials by selfish and opportunitist" journalists.

The Jathedar accused Mr Hamdard of denigration of the institution of Akal Takht for "vested narrow ends".

By doing so, Mr Hamdard had maneuvered his election to the Rajya Sabha and chairmanship of a government-owned trust for Anandpur Sahib, he said.

Pointing out that Mr Hamdard had been writing against Prof Manjit Singh in the past, he accused him of indulging in a false propaganda.

Responding to a question, he said journalists were free to criticise the Jathedar of Akal Takht but should provide facts and evidence. He said he would not summon Mr Handard for this "blasphemous editorial". He alleged that Mr Hamdard had been functioning as a "party" instead of being an impartial editor. "The editorial was one-sided, biased and meant to denigrate the institution of Akal Takht."

Bhai Ranjit Singh justified all "hukamnamas" pronounced under his signatures, which, according to him, were in accordance with "gurmat maryada".