All religion delegation hopeful of solution from Akal Takht

Amritsar, May 29 (UNI) The Akal Takht today assured the Sarv Dharam Sansad (All religion delegation) that their appeal for acceptance of the apology tendered by Dera Sacha Sauda would be considered.

The appeal was reiterated at a four hour long meeting which the four member delegation had with the five Sikh High Priests at the Akal Takht here in a bid to end the standoff between the highest temporal seat of Sikhism and the Sirsa based Dera.

The delegation impressed upon the Akal Takht to consider the appeal so as to bring about peace and harmony in the region, particularly in Punjab which had witnessed violence in the last couple of days.

Besides Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vidanti, the Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Balwant Singh Nandgarh, Takht Keshgarh Sahib Jathedar Tirlochan Singh, Takht Patna Sahib Jathedar Iqbal Singh and Takht Nanded Sahib Acting Jathedar Jyotinder Singh heard the views of the delegation which comprised of Swami Agnivesh, Father Dominic Emanuel, Jain Sadhvi Aruna and Maulana Jameel Ilyasi Ahmed.

Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandik Committee (SGPC) chief Avtar Singh Makkar, who had earlier in the day held a seprate meeting with the delegation, was also present in the meeting at the Akal Takht.

The delegation impressed upon the Sikh clergy to accept the apology tendered by the Dera for having hurt Sikh sentiments by its blasphemous imitation of Guru Gobind Singh. The delegation had yesterday termed the tone of the 'mafinama' as ''not graceful''.

The clergy acknowledged the peace efforts of the delegation and gave a verbal assurance that their appeal would be considered. They pointed out that as per Sikh tenets, they would have to consult representatives of various Sikh religious groups to solicit their views on the apology, which was violative of Sikh traditions and tenets.

Swami Agnivesh later said that the meeting was held in a cordial atmopshere and they were hopeful that their 'prayer' for peace would be accepted. ''We bow our heads in reverence to this high seat (Akal Takht) and hope our prayer will be considered for the sake of peace and harmony'', he said in a written statement.

Prior to their meeting with the SGPC chief and the clergy, Maulana Jameel offered prayers at a local mosque, while Father Domince prayed at a church. Both prayed for the return of peace and communal harmony in the region.

Swami Agnivesh and Maulana Jameel will stay on to hear the final decision of the clergy, after their (clergy) meeting with representatives of Sikh groups which began later in the afternoon.

The other two members if the delegation will be leaving for New Delhi in the evening.

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UNI