FATEHGARH SAHIB: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Avtar Singh Makkar said that Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) activist Baldev Singh Sirsa has no right to demand details of foreign tours of Akal Takht Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti under Right to Information Act (RTI).

Talking to media persons at Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib after honouring seven members committee, who will visit SGPC run BBSBEC, Fatehgarh Sahib for NBA accreditation; Makkar said that it was not right for Sirsa to ask detail of foreign visit of personalities like Akal Takht Jathedar. He said that it is a highest temporal seat of Sikhs so no one should dare to ask unnecessary questions. When asked whether reply would be submitted to Sirsa under RTI, Makkar evaded reply.

On the charges of mortal turpitude against Assistant secretary of the SGPC and in charge (publicity) Daljit Singh Bedi, Makkar said that he would constitute a high level committee, which would probe the charges. He said that no one would be spared in any case.  When asked Bedi alleged that there is a conspiracy against him, he said that the probe would clear all the facts.

He said that the SGPC has made elaborate arrangements about the SGPC general house election schedule to be held on November 23.   He said that SGPC is seriously pursuing the resolution of making NRI Sikhs as members of SGPC.

He said that though there is emergency imposed in Pakistan but a Sikh Jatha has sent to Pakistan to celebrate birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev as the Pak government has assured safety of Jatha members.

On releasing book of Sikh scholar Rattan Singh Jaggi, Makkar admitted that he recently released the book without reading contents of the book. He said that some persons unnecessary tried to create controversy.   He said that Jaggi is renowned author and SGPC has assigned him task to verify the contents of the books to be translated in English by SGPC.

SGPC members Didar Singh Bhatti, Karnail Singh Panjoli, senior Akali leaders Harmail Singh Tohra, Amarinder Singh Libra, BBSBEC principal Dr T.P Singh; MGC, Fatehgarh Sahib principal Dr Gurmohan Singh Walia also present on this occasion.