SC for political settlement of Dera row

SC for political settlement of Dera row

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NDTV Correspondent
Thursday, May 24, 2007 ()
The Supreme Court on Friday indicated the row between the Sikhs and the Dera Sacha Sauda sect should be resolved politically. The Dera sect appealed for protection after the highest Sikh body - the Akal Takht said - the sect's facilities in Punjab should be shut down by Sunday. It sought protection of life and properties of the sect across the country. The Dera sect moved the Supreme Court to restrain Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal and the SGPC from making statements against it. In its petition it said Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal openly instigated the Sikhs against it.The court will take up the matter on June 4.The row began on May 14 when the leader of the Dera sect appeared in newspaper photographs dressed like Guru Gobind Singh - which offended the Sikhs. Separately sources say the Dera may finally have decided to apologise just before the Akal Takht's deadline to shut down its facilities.According to sources, Swami Agnivesh, who is mediating between the Dera and SGPC, has received a six-line apology letter from the Dera chief.Sources say the Dera will come up with a final text for the apology, which will be forwarded to the Akal Takht.''Talks are on and we are hopeful that the matter will be sorted in a way where both parties will be happy,'' Swami Agnivesh, the leader of the Arya Samaj said.Dera denialBut the Dera spokesman has denied media reports that they have decided to offer an apology to the Akal Takht.''A section of the media has been going with the information that we don't vouch for. The Ashram has nothing to do with such facts that are misleading,'' a spokesperson for the Dera Sacha Sauda said.''Our representatives are still talking to come up with a viable conclusion. I think we should not pay heed to false media reports.Emergency meetingEarlier, Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal chaired an emergency meeting of the Akali Dal MLAs and MPs on Thursday.Badal, who discussed the standoff with the Dera Sacha Sauda, has assured the sect full protection.The Chief Minister has said that nobody will be allowed to harm the Deras and peace will be maintained at all costs in the state.

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The Sikhs are flexing their muscles on a non-issue. Someone dressing up like Guru Gobind Singh should only flatter the Sikhs, for is not imitation the best form of flattery? It would also do well for the Sikhs to remember that while they may be a majority in Punjab, they are a minority in all the other states of India. Any violence in the name of religion in Punjab may backfire all over India, particularly as the Dera is being instigated by Congress and Congress has the track-record of the notorious anti-Sikh riots of Delhi. Let the Sikhs show the Hindu spirit of acceptance of other religious viewpoints and not reflect the Muslim spirit of intolerance.
Posted by K.Venugopal at 14:7 on May 25, 2007
The Sikh- Dera crisis is ssems to blown out of control. The issue was serious but could have been resolved ammicably and it was for Dera to come forwad. Copying the style and methods and drawing parralel of a particular sect was not proper on their part. Issue was further compounded with Sikhs taking a hard stand. The issue may be resolved in a Court of Law or politically, but the situation warrants for early and amicable solution and to save Punjab from any turmoil.
Posted by Mahendra Kothari at 13:52 on May 25, 2007
It is quite an irony that this dera is appealing to SC for intervention, but shows reluctance to issue an apology to people of sikhs in punjab. SC should immediately put him behind bars for serious offence of murder and rapes organised within dera. No govt has initiated any inquiry regarding the undisclosed sum of money this dera receives. If most of its followers belong with backward communities then how come the dera has a sprawling business in punjab. Where is this money coming from ? I am sure his only sauda is with congress which is trying hard to disrupt peace in punjab
Posted by bhupinder at 13:38 on May 25, 2007
SC is right. for the matter is political but given a religious colour by Akalis for political benefits.
Posted by balvinder at 13:14 on May 25, 2007
while it is understandable that ram rahim etc has realised,after seeing the writing on the wall, that the only way to continue his business is to tender some kind of apology,i do not understand what compulsions impelled punjab cm to declare that deras will be protected,especially when the dera people killed one sikh and continued to indulge in naked dance of violence for two days.where was punjab cm and his govt?is punjab cm scared of more skeletons in the cupboard to be telecast?i,at least,cant make out whether he is a sikh or a politician,or a premi.whatever he may claim to be,he is not what he claims to be.thank god he does not claim to be a premi or a politician,in this case.
Posted by harinder singh khalsa at 23:8 on May 24, 2007