RSS, Panthic bodies head for showdown
Posted by Balvinder Singh S Bal
RSS, Panthic bodies head for showdown
Posted by Balvinder Singh S Bal on Monday, 1/01/2001 11:29 PM MST
| Email From: "Gursevak Singh" <[email protected]> Subject: RSS and Panthic bodies head for showdown The Tribune December 31, 2000 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. More Sikh bodies oppose RSS stance From Our Correspondent AMRITSAR, Dec 31 ? Meetings are on in the panthic circles to discuss the situation created by RSS chief Sudershan Chauhan's statement on celebration of Gurpurb. Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti is discussing the issue with other members of the Sikh clergy, while taking a serious note of the matter. The RSS had announced its intention to take Guru Granth Sahibs from gurudwaras to various temples to hold a joint celebration of Gurpurb on the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh. It is learnt that the stand of the Akal Takht Jathedar on the issue will be announced tomorrow. Sikh organisations had taken strong exception to the RSS statement and called for a restraint to be imposed on such activities which were detrimental to the identity of the Sikhs. Today, some more Sikh organisations came out, denouncing the RSS statement. Akal Federation, in its statements, said the RSS was taking advantage that its ally BJP was in power. Akal Federation president Narain Singh stated that celebrating the Gurupurb while placing the Guru Granth Sahib amongst idols of Hindu gods and sound of temple bells amounts to disrespect to panthic tradition, which disallows idol worship. Taking a tough stand on the issue, All-India Sikh Students Federation president Harminder Singh Gill announced a protest rally, starting from Sri Darbar Sahib and culminating in a dharna at the Deputy Commissioner's office on January 10. |
