Sangh settles its confusion over Sikhs

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee chief Jagdev Singh Talwandi too had warned the RSS against taking the Guru Granth Sahib into Hindu temples since idol-worship was against Sikh traditions. Talwandi had yesterday asked the commission to “define” Sikhism.

RSS spokesperson M.G. Vaidya, however clarified that the RSS had not permitted its members in Punjab to celebrate gurpurab in temples. Delhi Sikh Sangat chief Ravinder Pal Singh claimed Chauhan was no more a Sangat leader. They also denied that RSS Chief K.S. Sudarshan had ever made a statement saying Sikhs were part of Hinduism.

In fact, Sangh leaders were scheduled to meet the NCM leaders as part of their mass-contact exercise, on December 26 but the meeting had to be called off because one of the Commission members was unable to attend it due to Christmas. And before it could take place on the rescheduled date — January 25, Commission vice chairman Trilochan Singh shot off letter to Prime Minister Vajpayee complaining about the Sangh’s remarks about Sikhs.

After almost two-hours long meeting with the RSS representatives, NCM vice-chairman Tirlochan Singh, who persuaded Akali leaders and the RSS to settle contentious issues, said the SGPC had also been consulted on the controversy.

The Sangh which was represented by RSS Delhi unit chief Satya Narain Bansaland Vaidya, took the first steps to make peace with Christians as well, a community which has been the target of the Sangh’s hate campaign for the past two years. RSS leaders today agreed to initiate a dialogue with Christian leaders some time next month to “remove any misunderstanding".

NCM Chairman Justice Mohammed Shamim, who presided over the meeting, said the Commission would soon step up discussions with Christian leaders to remove misgivings between the RSS and the Christians.