Akalis clash in Golden Temple complex

Amritsar, Jul 2 (UNI) The 400th foundation day celebrations of the Akal Takht, the highest religio-spiritual seat of the Sikhs,were marred following a clash between two rival Akali groups inside the Golden Temple complex here today.

The clash involving supporters of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) led by former Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal and the SAD (Amritsar) led by former MP Simranjit Singh Maan took place in the at Dewan Manji Sahib hall inside the shrine complex. Akal Takht Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti and senior mebers of the Sikh clergy were also present.

Watched by the Takht Jathedar, Mr Badal, Mr Maan and other senior leaders of both parties and supporters of both the factions, brandishing naked swords advanced menacingly at each other and then came to blows. In the melee, a couple of turbans also came off, only a couple of yards where the Guru Granth Sahib was placed.

However, no serious injuries were inflicted as Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandik Committee (SGPC) officals, assisted by members of the Task Force of the Committee, managed to restore order. A couple of Task Force members formed a cordon around Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti, Mr Badal and SGPC President Avtar Singh Makkar and prevented any harm coming to them.

According to eye-witnesses, the trouble began when Mr Maan was not permitted by the SGPC to address the gathering after Mr Badal and Jathedar Makkar had spoken. Mr Harcharan Singh, a SGPC member belonging to the SAD (Amritsar), demanded that his party president should be given time to speak and even made a plea before SGPC general secretary Sukhdev Singh Bhaur in this regard.

However the SGPC, controlled by the Badal-faction did not acceed to the request, which immediately brought about 30-odd Amritsar-Dal members on their feet. A couple of them drew their swords from their scabbards and advanced towards the platfrom from where Mr Badal and others had addressed the gathering, which was supposed to a religious affair.

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