Sirsa (Haryana): A day ahead of the deadline set by Sikh's highest temporal seat for the Dera Sacha Sauda chief to apologise for alleged sacrilege, the Sirsa-based religious sect on Saturday regretted the chain of events leading to the violence and said it never intended to imitate Sikh Guru Gobind Singh.

In a statement issued here late on Saturday, the Public Relations Department of the Dera said: ``We never intended to imitate Guru Gobind Singh and we are regretful of the whole chain of events.''

It said the advertisement that appeared in newspapers on May 13 showing Dera chief Baba Ram Rahim Singh in an attire similar to that worn by Guru Gobind Singh, sparking strong protests from Sikhs and ``created misconceptions, is unfortunate.''

The statement came two days after the Akal Takht issued a five-point ultimatum to the Dera one of which demanded an apology from the group for alleged blasphemy. — PTI

Chandigarh Special Correspondent reports:

Earlier on Saturday, the chief of the religious seminary Damdami Taksal, Baba Harnam Singh Dhuma, said nothing short of an apology before five "Singh Sahibs" at the Akal Takht by the Dera chief would assuage the hurt religious sentiments of the Sikhs.

He rejected the appeals by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other political leaders. He said it was not an occasion to create confusion through appeals. "The authorities must take necessary decisions that are reflected in concrete action to pacify the Sikh community before things get out of control."

Arguing that the matter was neither political nor one of law and order situation, Baba Dhumasaid the sanctity of the Gurus' preachings, the identity of the Sikh community and the "Shakti" (power) of the "holy Amrit" stood challenged by the Dera Sacha Sauda.

Baba Dhuma said that at the expiry of the May 18 ultimatum served by the Singh Sahib's hukumnama from Talwandi Sabo, the five Singh Sahibs would meet at the Akal Takhat in the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar on Sunday afternoon to announce the next course of action.

Police chief N.P.S. Aulakh said elaborate security arrangements were in place to deal with any exigency. He denied that preventive detentions were being made.

New Delhi Special Correspondent reports:

The Congress on Saturday urged the people of Punjab to maintain peace and social harmony in the State.

Expressing concern over the situation that arose following clashes between Sikh organisations and followers of the Dera during the past few days, the recently constituted coordination committee on Punjab, at its first meeting here, felt that any activity that hurt the religious sentiments of any section should be avoided, general secretary Janardan Dwivedi, in-charge of the party affairs of the State, said.

While reiterating its full support to the Punjab Government in maintaining law and order, the meeting criticised the Chief Minister's statements seeking to blame the Congress for the situation. In the February Assembly elections, the Dera had supported the Congress.

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