Dera calls for govt mediation

Sirsa, May 21 (UNI) Reiterating its decision not to vacate its centres in Punjab in response to the Akal Takht edict, Dera Sacha Sauda today urged the government to intervene in the matter to resolve the crisis through mediation.

''The government should intervene and try to resolve the matter through mediation,'' said Dera spokesman Aditya Insan while talking to reporters in the commune.

The Akal Takht had yesterday issued an edict asking the Dera to close down all its centres in Punjab despite the Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh offering regrets over an advertisement which allgedly depicted him in an attire similar to that of Guru Gobind Singh.

Asked if the Dera was forced to vacate its centre in Punjab, the spokesman said: ''We will take recourse to the legal process if the need be.'' To oppose the Akal Takht edict in a peaceful manner, he said the Dera followers would participate in a blood donation camp.

They would also pledge to donate their eyes and other organs.

''Our sentiments are not being respected. But in response to attacks on the Dera people, we have decided to respond through Gandhigiri,'' he said.

He said the Dera chief had always respected all religions in his discourses and propogated the philosophy of love among all sects.

Meanwhile, various Sikh organisations in Sirsa have decided to observe bandh in the city tomorrow in response to the call of the Akal takht for Punjab bandh.

Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Samiti member Sukhvinder Singh Khalsa said the decision to observe a bandh in the city was taken during a meeting of Sikh bodies in Chilla Sahib Gurdwara here.

UNI