Divide over Dera deepens, Badal, Akal Takht step in

Tension gripped several towns of Punjab and there were clashes in Patiala and New Delhi today between Dera Sacha Sauda followers and Sikhs protesting an advertisement

Tension gripped several towns of Punjab and there were clashes in Patiala and New Delhi today between Dera Sacha Sauda followers and Sikhs protesting an advertisement which showed the sect head in the attire of Guru Gobind Singh.

The Akal Takht, which has demanded the arrest of Dera chief Sant Gurmeet Singh Ram Raheem Singh, has called an assembly tomorrow at Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda.

Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti told The Indian Express 8220;We can8217;t allow him to get away with blasphemy8221;. He said political leaders would also be participating in the meeting tomorrow but the religious nature of the congregation must be respected.

8220;We have given a call to everyone, including political leaders. But there should not be any attempt to draw political mileage and devotees should follow the path of peace,8221; he said.

In Chandigarh, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said the Congress was behind the unrest. He said the Shiromani Akali Dal would be attending the Talwandi Sabo meeting but he would have no role in the decisions taken there.

Speaking to reporters at his office, Badal said: 8220;The Congress is responsible for this situation. They instigated it. Our government is exercising maximum restraint, we will not allow the situation to deteriorate.8221;

In New Delhi, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil informed Parliament that Punjab would be provided all possible assistance to deal with the situation. 8220;I have spoken to the Punjab Chief Minister and he has said he is taking action. We have assured all possible support,8221; Patil said in the Rajya Sabha.

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On demands for arresting the Dera chief, Patil said it would not be appropriate for the Centre to bypass the elected government in the state. When BJP8217;s S S Ahluwalia said the Punjab government could not arrest the Dera chief without assistance of Haryana, Patil said he had spoken to the Haryana government on the issue.

8220;Whosoever has to be given instruction will be given and whatever assistance is needed will be provided8230; Whatever is happening is a threat to unity of the country and a roadblock in its progress,8221; he said, adding 8220;this should not happen8221;.

While Patiala witnessed fierce street clashes, Sikh groups armed with swords forcibly closed shops and educational institutions in Amritsar. Youths smashed signboards and furniture of shops that did not close down. The situation was also tense in Phagwara, Batala, Bathinda and Moga as Dera supporters and Sikh groups like the Damdami Taksal, SGPC and SAD staged protests.