Sacha Sauda chief tenders apology

Sirsa, May 27 (UNI) In the larger interests of humanity and to bring about peace and harmony in the region, Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Raheem Singh today tendered an unconditional apology for having hurt Sikh sentiments by his blasphemous imitation of Guru Gobind Singh.

The Dera head tendered his apology to Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs and not to the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhs.

The apology released to mediapersons at the Dera headquarters here this evening stated, ''Neither could anyone equate himself to Guru Gobind Singh, nor could think of equating himself with the great Guru.'' Expressing concern at the ''sad' turn of events in the last couple of days, the unsigned press note (apology) released on the letter head of the Dera said, ''These unfortunate happenings had led to misunderstandings, for which regret had been expressed before.'' '' However, in the larger interests of humanity, we ask for forgiveness from Guru Gobind Singh,'' the apology stated.

''Peace and harmony should prevail in Punjab, Haryana and other parts of the country and abroad, this is our sincere prayer,'' the apology further said.

Referring to Ram Raheem as a ''humble servant,'' the apology said that since its extablishment in 1948, the Dera ''believes and respects all religions''. The Dera has been striving to end discrimination on grounds of religion and caste and in checking all forms of intoxication from society, the release added.

Meanwhile, a report from Amritsar said that Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vidanti said the apology of the Dera would be reviewed at a meeting of the five Sikh High priests at a meeting at the Takht on May 29. He confirmed that the Akal Takht secretariat had received a faxed copy of the apology.

''I cannot take a decision on my own, the Singh Sahibs (clergy) have to meet and decided,'' he said, while pointing out that he was still to go through the draft of the apology.

''After the meeting on May 29, the next line of approach will be decided and made public,'' he added.

UNI