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Journalism of Courage
JALANDHAR, APRIL 5: Organisers of the parallel Khalsa tercentenary celebrations today claimed Union Minister Surjit Singh Barnala had agreed to take part in the ceremonies being held under the leadership of “suspended” Akal Takht jathedar Ranjit Singh, but Barnala said he neither had the invitation for the meet nor approved of such divisive activities.
He, along with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, will visit Anandpur Sahib for the tercentenary celebrations of birth of the Khalsa Panth, planned by Akali Dal leader and Punjab Chief Minister PS Badal, Barnala told PTI in Delhi.
Akali Dal (Panthic) president and one of the main organisers of the parallel celebrations, Jasbir Singh Rode, told reporters here that apart from Barnala, former prime minister Chandrasekhar and RJD president Laloo Prasad Yadav would attend the parallel celebrations.
Badal said nearly 30 lakh devotees from the world over, including some from Pakistan, will converge at Anandpur Sahib to take part in the celebrations (planned by his government), beginning Thursday.
A jatha (group) from Lahore will join the celebrations and also take part in the Khalsa Fateh March’, he said at a function organised by Delhi Sangat’ (Sikh community in the capital) in Delhi.
The holy city of Anandpur Sahib will be made a “weapon-free” zone from April eight, state director general of police Sarabjit Singh said at Chandigarh.
Any private person holding licensed weapons as also personal security officers, including police guards, would have to deposit their weapons at the 10 police booths set up around the township, he added.
He said Punjab Police had made elaborate arrangements for safety and security of pilgrims and VIPs with the deployment of about 5,000 security personnel.
About the parallel celebrations being organised by former SGPC president GS Tohra and some other political parties, Singh said police would do its best to ensure that nothing untoward happened.
