The Hindu : Front Page : Hindu organisations back Sikhs against sect leader

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 17, 2007
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Hindu organisations back Sikhs against sect leader

Sarabjit Pandher

Badal sends special emissary to Maha Sikh Sammelan

CHANDIGARH: Barring a few exceptions, activists of local Hindu organisations have come out in open support of Sikh outfits, protesting against the alleged blasphemy and sacrilege committed by the chief of the Dera Sacha Sauda, a Sirsa-based religious sect.

While no major clash was reported, an uneasy calm prevailed in Bathinda district after two days of communal clashes following a controversial advertisement about the activities of Dera head, Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.

The administration, which was put on a "high alert" across the State, ordered the closure of all educational institutions for three days, deployed additional forces, including Punjab police commandos, at sensitive locations and invoked prohibitory provisions.

Unlike the last two days, when the `Premis' (followers of the Dera) put the police and their rivals on the defensive, Wednesday saw activists of Sikh organisations going on the rampage in various parts of the State. Youth brandishing swords, iron rods and sticks forced shopkeepers to down the shutters, as impromptu edicts for a `bandh' were issued. Shops and commercial establishments that defied the bandh call and vehicles were attacked.

Despite ban orders crowds gathered in many parts of the State, processions were taken out and effigies of the Dera chief burnt.

Security personnel used "light force" to disperse a mob in Patiala. In Amritsar, the protesters were led by the former militant, Gurnam Singh Bandala, who recently exposed the police for allegedly killing a man in a fake encounter and claiming the prize money.

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal sent a special emissary to Amritsar to hold discussions with Singh Sahibs (clerics), who have convened a "Maha Sikh Sammelan" at the Takhat Damdama Sahib in Talwandi Sabo of Bathinda district on Thursday.

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