Dera chief should apology: Chautala

Ambala, May 27 (UNI) Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) supremo and former Haryan chief minister Om Parkash Chautala today said that the Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Raheem Singh had "committed a blunder by not tendering an apology as demanded by the Akal Takht".

Talking with mediapersons at Shahpur village he alleged that the Dera head "had lost his mental balance and was bent upon harming the peace and tranquility in the region, especially in Punjab and Haryana".

He said that had the Dera chief abided by the edict of the Akal Takht and wishes of the people including of religious leaders he would have received admiration from all corners of the country. This action of the Dera head could have assauged hurt feelings and eased tensions prevailing in Punjab, he added.

Mr Chautala regreted that the set of advisers sorrounding Ram Raheem did not want the issue to be sorted out.

Rajya Sabha Member and former Minorities Commission Chairman Tarlochan Singh who was also present expressed his concern over the Sikh-Dera conflict. A religious issue was being turned into a political one with the sole motive to drive a wedge between communities, he added.

He said that the Dera chief should cooperate with the religious leaders who were trying to solve the issue.

UNI