M A I N   N E W S

RSS, Panthic bodies head for showdown
From Our Correspondent

AMRITSAR, Dec 30 — Various Sikh organisations came out strongly against the RSS move that could lead to an ugly confrontation between Panthic organisations and RSS workers.

The Dal Khalsa today took strong exception to the reported plan of the RSS to hold joint celebrations by Hindus and Sikhs during the Gurpurb. Mr Kanwarpal Singh of the Dal Khalsa urged the Jathedar, Akal Takht, to issue immediate directions to all Gurdwara Management Committees, Singh Sabhas and related associations to restrain RSS workers entering gurdwaras with the purpose to bring the Guru Granth Sahib for installation in temples.

The Dal called for a decisive action against the RSS by the Akal Takht Jathedar to nip their attempts in the bud as his earlier “soft stand had given impetus” to the RSS activities “The Chief Minister’s studied silence on the RSS issue has brought matter to a head”, the Dal added.

The Khalra Mission Committee demanded a Hukamnama to check the RSS plan of installing the Guru Granth Sahib in temples for joint Gurpurb celebrations. Mr Surinder Singh Ghariala, Chairman of the mission in a statement said the mission would stop such Gurpurb celebrations at all costs on January 5. He alleged that the Chief Minister non-commital attitude had encouraged the RSS to intensify its activities.

The Rashtrya Raksha Dal too expressed its opposition to RSS statement. Col (retd) J.S. Bal, in a statement said, the Rashtriya Sikh Sangat “was a mischief created by RSS to penetrate into the Sikh religion”.

Mr Jaswinder Singh, a SGPC member, has demanded that the RSS and the BJP must clarify these stand regarding the statements of Mr Sudershan Chauhan, the Rashtriya Sikh Sangat chief.