Sikh leaders condemn ''sensational media coverage''

Amritsar, May 19 (UNI) A meeting of Sikh intellectuals held at Akal Takht today took a serious view of the ''sensational reporting by electronic media of the Sacha Sauda episode'' and resolved to form an intellectual panel to project their views.

The meeting, presided over by takht Patna Sahib Jathedar Giani Iqbal Singh, in the absence of Akal Takht jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti, also decided to send notices to ''those media houses which had projected one-sided views.'' ''Such a panel is the need of the hour'', the Giani claimed, adding that ''misleading projections'' about Sikhism had created many confusion among common masses. The Nihang organisation, which also held a meeting at Dera Baba Phulla Singh, demanded an immediate ban on the activities of Dera Sacha Sauda.

Meanhile, in a statement here, Capt Chanan Singh Sidhu, President Sikh Forum, Punjab, today expressed concern over ''the poisonous mushrooming of Deras'' which he claimed had become a ''bane for peaceful atmosphere of Punjab and threatened all the communities in the country and the identity of the Sikh's in particular.'' UNI