CHANDIGARH/ NEW DELHI: The Sikh community expressing concern over the bloody clash between the activists of Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) and Delhi Akali Dal (Sarna) at the Gurdwara Rakabganj Sahib has decided to hold a Candle Light Vigil on November 23.
The members of the community have formed a Peace Committee under an initiative of ‘Sikh Forum’.It may be recalled that there was a bloody clash between the members of SAD (B) led by Manjit Singh GK and Delhi Akali Dal on November 15 in which atleast eleven members were injured. The incident had taken place due to imminent tension between the two groups due to amendment in Delhi Gurdwara Act, 1971.
Senior advocate of Delhi High Court and Sikh activist Advocate HS Phoolka said that the incident had not only desecrated the holy shrine but also lowered the image of the Sikh community in the whole world.
He also expressed his apprehension that such an incident was likely to happen again.
Phoolka further said that as per the intelligence reports, another incident of clash between the members of the two Akali Dals was likely during the Nagar Kirtan on November 24 and 27 and during the congregation of Sikhs on gurpurab of Guru Teg Bahadur’s martyrdom and Guru Nanak Dev’s parkash purab.
The senior advocate further said that ‘Peace Committee’ of five persons apart from nominees of the Badal as well as Sarna group.
The committee will negotiate with both the groups to carry on political fight without resorting to any violence.
The five-membered committee includes Dr JS Neki, a renowned Sikh scholar and former Director PGI Chandigarh, Joginder Singh, former director CBI, Ajeet Caur, renowned writer, Dr Amarjit Singh Narang, Prof Political Science IGNOU and Advocate HS Phoolka.
Phoolka would be the committee’s coordinator.
The nominees of the Badal group include Manjinder Singh Sirsa and Harmeet Singh Kalkaji while Sarna group include Tarsem Singh and Bhajan Singh Walia.
The Candle light Vigil will take place at Gurdwara Rakabganj Sahib on November 23 at 5 PM. The committee has already started interaction with the members of the two groups, Phoolka disclosed.
The Sikh sangat will also seek blessings of the Almighty so that such an untoward incident does not happen in the future.
