Akal Takht demands ban on ''Anti Sikh Groups''

Amritsar, May 15 (UNI) Taking a serious view of incidents of violence between the followers of Dera Sacha Sauda and various Sikhs and Akali organisation, the Akal Takht today demanded an immediate ban on the acitivities of such ''Anti Sikh'' Groups.

The Centre and all state government should immediately impose a ban on the activities of Sacha Sauda head Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh and their congregations and programmes, a resolution passed at a meeting of the five sikh high priest at the Akal Takht here stated.

The resolution also called upon all Sikh political and religious organisations and sects to be ''ready for any sort of sacrifice to counter the activiteis of self-procalimed Gurus and religious preachers''.

The resolution, without naming the head of Dera Sacha Sauda, demanded ''immediate arrest of those indulging in anti-Sikh acitivities''. The resolution noted that the violence in Bhatinda was an attempt to disturb the peaceful atmosphere of Punjab.

Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Jaginder Singh Vedanti, who addressed a media conference after the meeting, said that the activities of head of Dera Sacha Sauda was ''violative'' of Sikh traditions and tenets.

The Dera head had tried to project himself as an incarnation of Guru Gobind Singh and this could not be tolerated at any cost'', he added.

The five priest also called a meeting of Sikh organisations at Takht Damdama Sahib on May 17 to chalk out the next line of action.

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