Dera Chief must apologise from heart: Akal Takht

Amritsar, July 14: The Akal Takht has made it clear that the Sikh-Dera Sacha Sauda controversy could only come to an end if Sirsa-based Dera Chief Gurmeet Ram Raheem Singh ''tenders an apology to the Sikh community from the core of his heart.'' This was conveyed by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vidanti to a peace committee delegation from Sirsa district in Haryana which met him here today.

The 21-member delegation comprising of people from different walks of life from Sirsa district was led by Mr Jagdish Chopra, Vice President of the Haryana unit of the BJP. This peace committee calling itself the 'Sirsa Citizens Peace Loving Committee' originally consists of 36-members, including the SDM's and DSP's of Sirsa and Dabwali and certain journalists.

However, the government officials and the journalists prefered not to come with the Committee to meet the Jathedar. The committee constituted by the Haryana government, does not include any follower of the Sacha Sauda sect.

During their interaction with the Jathedar, the Committee appealed to the Akal Takht that in the interests of peace and harmony, the Sikh-Dera conflict should be resolved immediately. The members expressed concern on the ongoing tensions in Punjab and Haryana due to the conflict.

The Jathedar, after hearing the Committee members assured them that the Akal Takht was keen to resolve the matter. ''However, the Dera head must apologise from the core of his heart and we will consider his apology'', he told the Committee.

Expressing satisfaction over the Jathedar's assurance, the Committee head Mr Jagdish Chopra told jounalists that the conflict must be resolved to bring peace peace in the region.The Jathedar's response was very positive, he added.

Mr Chopra, who had met the Dera head a few days back, said both sides wanted to resolve the issue but their was ''a communication gap''. He felt that a direct rapport between the Dera head and the Akal Takht Jathedar could bring out a positive solution.

The Dera head respects Sikh sentiments and was keen to find a solution, he claimed. He said the Committee would continue with its peace efforts.

UNI