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Journalism of Courage
AMRITSAR, Jan 5: Gurcharan Singh Tohra, president of SGPC is reported to have today rushed to New Delhi to make last minute efforts to pursue Akal Takht Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh to cancel his two-week tour to the United States of America in wake of speculations of an offensive by his rivals in the party.
Bhai Ranjit Singh who is leaving for Washington on a 12-day tour had last evening left for New Delhi without informing SGPC authorities. Tohra was scheduled to meet Bhai Ranjit Singh here today. The Jathedar will board the United Airlines flight at 1.30 a.m. on January 7.
SGPC sources said the meeting of SAD executive committee, MLAs and SGPC members in Anandpur Sahib on January 7 to be presided over by the Chief Minister may turn tables on Tohra. It was expected that Bhai Ranjit Singh would issue an edict or appeal to Sikhs against a Jalandhar-based Punjabi daily before leaving for USA due to a campaign launched by it against Tohra and edict issued by Akal Takht. Jathedar, however, left everybody guessing.
The long absence of Bhai Ranjit Singh from the scene is expected to rebound on Tohra who mainly depends upon support from Akal Takht. A monthly meeting of SGPC executive committee is also scheduled to be held in the second week of January which can turn into a nightmare for the SGPC president. The sources said the Badal group who holds a majority with ten members on its side, was planning to make all members present in the meeting.
It is pointed out that after issuance of edict by Akal Takht barring SAD and Disciplinary Action Committee from taking action against Tohra, the SGPC executive committee is the only platform left to corner Tohra. The executive may by a majority vote adopt a resolution to expel the president. Under the rules, the executive is bound to place such a resolution in the next monthly meeting even if it is rejected by the president for not having been an agenda item.
Bhai Ranjit Singh is expected to return to India on January 22.
According to informed sources, he will be given a warm welcome in Washington on January 13 at the Virginia gurdwara. He will attend congregations in about a dozen gurdawaras in New York, Freemont and New Jersey on an invitation extended by the NRI State Area Coordination Committee, USA.
Bhai Ranjit Singh will address a seminar on Khalsa and Maryada of Langar in Panth at Baba Makhan Singh Lubana Gurdawara at Flushing on January 18.
Meanwhile, the Akal Takht Sahib Support Committee based in USA, in a press release faxed here today appealed to Sikhs and to be on guard against the Nirankari cult which has resumed its nefarious activities in Punjab after a span of 20 years by a so-called secular group comprising Sikh intellectuals, journalists and politicians.
