The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Monday, November 20, 2000,
Chandigarh, India

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‘Nankana resolution’ fizzles out
From Varinder Walia
Tribune News Service

NANKANA SAHIB (Pakistan): The pro-Khalistan “Nankana resolution” which was proposed to be passed on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev here fizzled out as the Indian delegates led by Mr Parmjit Singh Sarna, former president of the Delhi Gurdwara Management Committee, and other moderate leaders refused to be party to it.

Though a 12-member Sikh delegation which included Prof Darshan Singh, former Jathedar of Akal Takht, Dr Gurmit Singh Aulakh, Mr Bhupinder Singh from Holland, Mr Ganga Singh Dhillon and Mr Manmohan Singh, vice-chairman, Dal Khalsa International, reportedly met Pakistan’s chief executive, Gen Pervez Musharraf, in Islamabad, Mr Sarna refused to accompany them. He had categorically stated that he would not meet General Musharraf in presence of pro-Khalistan leaders.

The Tribune has access to the two-page handwritten draft of “Nankana resolution” which was reportedly prepared by the foreign based pro-Khalistan leaders and office-bearers of the Pakistan Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee.

The draft of the resolution reads, “On the most auspicious day of the birthday of the founder of Sikhism, the Sikhs from all over the world unanimously approve and adopt this document which hereafter will be called ‘the Nankana resolution’.

“That Sikhs are a separate quom with distinct identity of their religious, tradition, culture, dress, appearance and rituals.

“Article 25(B) explanation II of Indian Constitution which declares Hindus and Sikhs and their places of worship as the same, be scrapped.

The Nankana resolution demands immediate release of the Sikh prisoners and “dharmi faujis” languishing in various jails without even trials.”

Interestingly, the two paragraphs of the ‘Nankana resolution’ were deleted at an eleventh hour which advocated ban on the RSS and its entry into gurdwaras. The second para struck out with hand is that the resolution advocated the initiation of dialogue between the Indian Government and foreign-based separatist leaders on the issue of Khalistan.

The draft resolution hails the decision of the Government of Pakistan for forming the Pakistan Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee.

It may be mentioned here that Mr Sarna stood up from the political conference here on November 14 before the stage was captured by militant leaders where the resolution was to be passed.

Bibi Jagir Kaur on way out?

NEW DELHI, Nov 19 (PTI) — Bibi Jagir Kaur, charged by the CBI with murdering her daughter Harpreet Kaur, is unlikely to get another term as SGPC chief with the Shiromani Akali Dal having reservations over backing her bid.

Top leaders of SAD, who were here to attend the marriage of a senior party functionary’s daughter, were understood to be unanimous in their opinion that somebody else should replace her as SGPC President, party sources said.

The leaders were of the view that she should have quit from the SGPC post immediately after the CBI filed an FIR against her in the case, the sources said adding that, however, it was yet to be established whether Harpreet Kaur was actually murdered.

Among those who attended the marriage ceremony of the daughter of Avtar Singh Hit, president of the Delhi Akali Dal, included Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Union Fertiliser Minister and SAD’s Secretary General S. S. Dhindsa, Gurdev P. Badal, Balwinder Singh and Sukhbir Singh Badal.

Sources said that among the names being considered for the top SGPC post included Sukhdev Singh Talwandi, Sucha Singh Langhar and SAD vice-president Pannu.

Jagir Kaur was questioned by the CBI for nearly three hours on Friday as per the direction of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which had granted anticipatory bail to her in the case.

CBI sources did not rule out her further questioning in the case and added that the agency was considering various legal aspects of challenging the anticipatory bail granted to her by the high court in the Supreme Court.

“I am ready to extend all cooperation to the CBI and law. I do not have anything to hide,” She had told reporters before entering the agency’s headquarters here.

The CBI on November 13 changed the charge against Jagir Kaur from 304 IPC (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) to 302 IPC (murder) after questioning nearly 20 persons, including the six arrested.

In a related development, Kamaljit Singh, who claims to be the husband of Harpreet, has said that he would challenge the anticipatory bail granted to Jagir Kaur. The appeal is likely to be filed in the Supreme Court on Monday, he said.

“We are questioning the basis on which the high court granted Bibi Jagir Kaur a confirmed anticipatory bail. The high court could at best have granted a conditional anticipatory bail to facilitate her appearance before the CBI for interrogation,” Kamaljit’s counsel, Indu Malhotra, said.