Keep off Jathedar, warns Mann

Democratic Akali Dal president Kuldip Singh Wadala and Panthic Akali Dal president Jasbir Singh Rode were also present at the press conference.

They also made a last-minute appeal to Badal to resolve the issue, in order to save the state from destruction, adding that they had failed to reach a compromise between Badal and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee SGPC president Gurcharan Singh Tohra. He said that any new Jathedar appointed by the Badal group would be considered sarkari, and would not be acceptable to the Sikh Panth.

Blaming Badal for suppressing democratic values and religious ideology, Mann said that while Tohra had adopted a conciliatory stance, allowing them to resolve the matter through any means, Badal had adopted a rigid attitude by setting the pre-condition of withdrawal of the December 31 edict issued from the Akal Takht.

Accusing Tohra of using the Akal Takht Jathedar as a shield, Mann said that the clash of egos between Badal and Tohra and their selfish interests had resulted in the present situation. He alleged that Badal was setting up a confrontation between the Sikhs and the rest of the country, and added that the three leaders would stand by the Akal Takht.

Assuring that there was no possibility of revival of militancy in the state, Mann said that Badal was using it as an excuse to snub rebellion.

The Sikh community had fought many battles on the issues listed in the Panthic agenda issued by Akal Takht, he said. He added that the Sikhs were a separate quom and the need for a personal law had been at the root of all their struggles.

Wadala said that the Shiromani Akali Dal, led by Badal, was not a Panthic party as it had failed to meet the aspirations of the people. He said they were in favour of maintaining a status quo till April 15.

He said family interests, interference by certain friends and a journalist had led Badal to adopt a suicidal approach, and added that hardliners in both the groups were trying to chart a collision course. He said Badal wanted to rule in a dictatorial fashion and Ajit editor Barjinder Singh Hamdard wanted the Panth to work according to his whims.

Jasbir Singh Rode said religious compulsions and not political gain had made them take the initiative in trying to reach a compromise between the two warring groups. He added that the Punjab government might even try to arrest rebel Akali leaders under the National Security Act.