Akal Takht can intervene: Tohra
From Tribune Reporters

FATEHGARH SAHIB, Dec 22 — Jathedar Gurcharan Singh Tohra, president of the SGPC, while addressing a gathering today at Chanarthal village near here, criticised those Sikhs and Panthic leaders who suggest that Akal Takht should not interfere in the political affairs of the Sikhs.

He warned that those who go against the will and directives issued from Akal Takht, have no place in Sikhism. Akal Takht is supreme in Sikh affairs and all the activities have always been undertaken after 'ardas' at Akal Takht.

He said if we started disobeying the Takht directive, the Panth would be shattered.

He said the attack was not on him but on the principles of Sikhism and the Panth.

Mr Tohra said he would continue to speak the truth and make every type of sacrifice to restore the dignity of SAD and its workers.

He appealed to all that when the 'kaum' is celebrating the tercentenary celebrations of the Khalsa, it was not the time for infighting as "we should celebrate it unitedly and sink all our differences.

Later, while talking to mediapersons, he denied that he had any plan to quit the Akali Dal or form any separate Akali Dal.

He said he would not join the Khalsa march organised by the Congress even if he gets invitation.

He said he has not yet received any show-cause notice from the Badal camp.

Addressing the gathering, Jathedar Amar Singh Nalini, a senior Akali leader, expressed confidence in the leadership of Mr Tohra.

Meanwhile, Mr Tohra got a setback today in his home district, when one of his close confidants, district Jathedar Swarn Singh Chanarthal and Mrs Parwinder Kaur Sodhi, president of the Istri Akali Dal, deserted his camp and joined the Badal camp.

With this development, the political prestige of Jathedar Tohra has been put on stake as his loyalists in this pocketborough have started deserting him. Sources reveal that in the coming days, more changes are expected in Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib and Ropar districts.

Addressing a press conference at Bassi Pathana, Jathedar Chanarthal and Mrs Sodhi said they were loyal to Mr Badal.

Mr Chanarthal said the district Akali Dal will organise a political conference on the Shahedi Jor Mela under the supervision of R.S. Cheema, a former Minister, and it would be addressed by Mr Badal.

With this declaration, it seems the decks have been cleared for Mr Badal to address from the traditional Akali stage and the SGPC President may not be allowed to share that stage for the first time.

It is to be seen whether the SGPC will organise its own separate stage or not.

Meanwhile, the police has cordoned off the traditional Akali stage and sources say that Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Finance Minister, is supervising the arrangements for the Akali conference.

AMRITSAR: Mr Kuldip Singh Kahlon, President of the Shiromani Youth Akali Dal (Kahlon), has warned Mr Tohra against getting Mr Badal summoned to Akal Takht by Bhai Ranjit Singh for resolving the SAD crisis.

In a press note issued here today, Mr Kahlon said if Mr Tohra "used" Bhai Ranjit Singh to summon Mr Badal at Akal Takht, it won't be tolerated by the 'Panth'.

JALANDHAR: The Sant Samaj has dubbed the appeal of Bhai Ranjit Singh, asking Mr Parkash Singh Badal and Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra to stop fighting as "no ordinary" appeal.

The Sant Samaj General Secretary, Baba Paramjit Singh Mahilpur, while briefing the media here today said the time was not to fight within the party but to strengthen it.

The Sant Samaj also condemned the "arbitrary" banning of a religious function at Kot Fateh village in Bathinda district by the administration on December 20.