M A I N   N E W S

George blames Hindujas

Ranchi, April 13
The National Democratic Alliance convener, Mr George Fernandes, has accused the Hindujas of being the brain behind the Tehelka expose.

He categorically stated that the Tehelka episode was the handiwork of a powerful lobby of arms dealers who feared action after the ongoing vigilance inquiry into the arms deals was completed, and added that the entire episode was a fall out of the Bofors scandal.

“The Tehelka episode has been raised by those who are afraid of the vigilence inquiry ordered into the arms deal since 1989,” said Mr Fernandes at a rally here organised by the NDA to counter the Opposition’s attack against the Vajpayee government in connection with the ‘murky’ arms deal.

Calling the entire episode as a “high-level” conspiracy to demoralise the defence forces and an attempt to cloud the country’s security preparedness, Mr Fernandes said such nefarious designs would not be allowed to succeed.

Actually our resolve to purge the system of the ‘middleman’ syndrome led those affected into this sinister plot. “Our pledge to give a corruption-free administration and check involvement of middlemen has irked many,” he said.

Mr Fernandes alleged that before the NDA came to power, weapons which were not even required were purchased and their spares procured at exorbitant prices, and to check these irregularities the government had ordered an inquiry by the Chief Vigilance Commissioner into all defence deals of more than Rs 75 crore since 1989.

Mr Fernandes also charged the Congress with confusing the nation on the issue and being ‘hand-in-glove’ with those conspiring to demoralise the defence force, and said Tehelka tapes were shown for the first time to a select gathering which comprised mainly Congress leaders, which itself established the ‘collusion’ of the party with such forces. The Congress, he said, instead of allowing the government to present its stand on the floor of the Lok Sabha, tried to mislead the people by stalling the proceedings of the House, and destabilise a duly elected government.

New Delhi: The Hindujas on Friday dismissed as “utter nonsense” the statement made by former Defence Minister George Fernandes that those who made the Tehelka tapes had close connections with them. Reacting to the statement by Mr Fernandes at an NDA rally in Ranchi, Mr A.K. Das, Chief Executive of the Hinduja group in India, said: “Hindujas have no connection whatsoever with Tehelka. UNI, PTI

SGPC siropa for PSGPC chief
Varinder Walia
Tribune News Service

Panja Sahib (Hassan Abdal), April 13
In a significant development, the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) today presented “siropa” (robe of honour) to Lt-Gen Javed Nasir, chairman, Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (PSGPC) a former ISI chief.

With this the SGPC virtually has recognised the PSGPC. Earlier, the then SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur had stopped sending Sikh pilgrims jathas to Pakistan to protest against the formation of the PSGPC, headed by a former ISI chief on April 13, 1999 to mark Baisakhi —the birth of Khalsa Panth.

While Mr Shingara Singh Lohian an executive committee member of the SGPC and party leader presented, ‘siropa’ to Gen-Javed Nasir, he overlooked Mr Sham Singh, co-chairman of the PSGPC. Mr Harminder Singh Sarna, a leader of the Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal, Mr Harpal Singh Bhullar, president, Vishal Bhai Mardana Yadgari Trust (VBMYT) “presented siropa” to General-Javed Nasir, Mr Sham Singh, Izhar-ul-Hassan Deputy Secretary Evacuee Property Trust.

On behalf of Chief Executive of Pakistan Gen Pervez Musharraf, Javed Nasir extended greetings to Sikh brethern on the occasion of Baisakhi. He said Gen Musharraf himself wished to participate in Baisakhi celebration but he dropped the idea on his suggestion lest the festivity of Baisakhi should not get spoiled with the presence of a large number of security of army which would have accompanied him. He welcomed the decision of Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi, SGPC chief, to withdraw boycott of sending jathas to Pakistan. He said decisions like boycotts normally cause resentment among devotees.

PSGPC Chairman, accepted supremacy of the SGPC. He, however, categorically said the SGPC had no right over “golak” (offerings) as money of devotees could go from one country to another (from Pakistan to India). He claimed that entire “golak” (money) was being spent on the renovation of Sikh shrines. He said while the SGPC had failed to bring all gurdwaras in India under its control by enacting the All-India Sikh Gurdwara Act, as to how it (SGPC) could ask for contribution of Gurdwaras in Pakistan. Takht Patna Sahib, Hazoor Sahib, J&K had different gurdwara managements.

Talking to “liberal” approach of Pakistan and the PSGPC, Javed Nasir said he had recommended to the Chief Executive to let Sikhs come in jathas on any occasion. At present Sikh pilgrims could visit shrines in Pakistan four times in a year. He said the government of Pakistan would allow foreign Sikhs to visit Pakistan in chartered planes. He said Sikh pilgrims would avail themselves of special concessions in aeroplanes, hotels and air-conditioned coaches.

By yet another significant decision, the government of Pakistan would allow Punjabis (Indians) to visit their ancestral places in Pakistan at any time. He said the government of Pakistan was ready to open visa office at Amritsar for the convenience of Sikhs/Punjabis who wished to visit Pakistan.

Earlier, talking to The Tribune Javed Nasir said an elected body of the PSGPC would take control of present committee after three years. He said while he was “temporary” chairman of the PSGPC yet the committee (PSGPC) won’t be disbanded. He said, nominees of the SGPC, the DSGMC, Hazoor Sahib, Patna Sahib and foreign countries would be included in future.

Javed Nasir promised to open more Sikh shrines in Pakistan for devotees in near future.

The PSGPC chairman said monuments related to Maharaja Ranjit Singh would be preserved to mark his bicentenary of coronation. The relics of Maharaja, which were scattered in Lahore secretariat, a gurdwara of Karachi etc would be preserved in Lahore Fort. He said Pakistan was committed to construct a corridor so that Sikh devotees could visit Kartarpur Gurdwara without a visa.