M A I N   N E W S

Dal Khalsa revived
Gajinder Singh appointed head
Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 11
Delegates of the Dal Khalsa today elected unanimously Gajinder Singh their party head for two years and authorised him to nominate the executive committee members and other office-bearers. In another development Jathedar Bharpoor Singh, member Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee, announced his joining the Dal Khalsa.

The Dal Khalsa observing its 23rd foundation day. Seen in the picture are SGPC member Bharpoor Singh, Satnam Singh, Kanwarpal Singh, Sarbjit Singh, (All Dal Khalsa leaders) and Prof. Jagdish Singh. — Photo Rajiv Sharma

Gajinder Singh, a hijacker of Indian Airlines plane has taken shelter in Pakistan. Both the decisions were announced in the form of resolution passed by the representatives gathered here to observe the 23rd raising day of the Dal Khalsa, held here today.

The Dal Khalsa was formed on August 6, 1978 in the wake of Baisakhi episode in which 13 Sikhs were killed at Amritsar on April 13, 1978. The party came into limelight after its five members, including newly elected head Gajinder Singh, Hijacked an Indian plane to Lahore to protest against the arrest of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale in connection with the Lala Jagat Narain murder case on September 29, 1981. Subsequently, the Government of India banned the Dal Khalsa in 1982 which was scrapped 1992. After lying low for 15 years the Dal Khalsa staged a political comeback in Punjab in 1998.

Gajinder Singh was sentenced to life for hijacking of plane in Pakistan where he presently is staying since his release. He has been elected to head the party in his absence.

Jathedar Bharpoor Singh won the SGPC election from Hisar constituency, but presently is residing in Ludhiana. With his joining the Dal Khalsa, has opened its account in the present general house of the SGPC.

The function was attended by party leaders including Satnam Singh Paonta Sahib, Kanwar Pal Singh, Satbir Singh Sandhu and Sarbjit Singh Ghuman.

In a key-note address, Kanwar Pal Singh said that since 1947, the majority community has been trying to subsume Sikhs into a Hindu fold either by force or by design. He said that the makers of the India Constitution incorporated Sikhs as part of the Hindu society.

Defining role the Dal Khalsa said as per Sikh concept and principle of Miri-Piri, it would discharge its responsibility both in religio-political sphere. Clarifying its goal, the resolution states that the Dal Khalsa would stick to non-violent path in pursuing its goal for religio-political sovereignty for the Sikh nation.

Another resolution states that contrary to Sikh principle, politics has superseded religion. This dangerous trend has been introduced by the political class of the Sikhs, which needs to be corrected. The Dal Khalsa announces full support to all SGPC members, who responded at its call for bringing transparency in the functioning of the SGPC. The resolution pointed out that the short comings in the SGPC was the rootcause of degradation of Sikh religio-polity. Hence, the party would launch a movement to cleanse the SGPC of all such evils which has plagued the institution. The Dal Khalsa blamed that the SGPC had been made an extension counter of the ruling SAD.

The Dal Khalsa held the SGPC responsible for sleeping over a file for five months pertaining to the segregation of voting right of the Sehajdharis’ in the forthcoming general elections of the SGPC. It said that “in case, non-Sikh succeeded in infiltrating in the SGPC under the label of Sehjadhari, the onus of blame will squarely be on the present SGPC leadership.