Dera: No question of unconditional apology

Dera: No question of unconditional apology

Sirsa, April 20
The Dera Sacha Sauda today made it clear that an unconditional apology to the Akal Takht without negotiations was not possible and the controversy arising out of the alleged impersonation of Guru Gobind Singh by their Guru - Gurmeet Ram Raheem Singh - could be resolved only through dialogue with all sikh bodies.

“Any apology without negotiations is not practical,” dera spokesman Dr Aditya Insaan said, adding: “Earlier also the rug has been pulled from under out feet and because of this we want all concerned parties to sit together to resolve the issue amicably. It cannot be that some accept the outcome of our talks and some do not.”

Dr Insaan said Gurmeet Ram Raheem had made repeated offers in recent months stating he was ready for talks with the Akal Takht. He said these could not fructify because of the demands that the Guru presented himself alone before the august body. “Let the government take responsibility for his (dera head's) security,” Dr Insaan said.

Sources in the dera say it is facing a crisis of loss of faith because earlier attempts to resolve the controversy have failed. They claimed while earlier there was an objection as to why the dera was not seeking an apology from the sikh community, the third round of talks failed despite a draft clearly seeking an apology from the sikh ‘panth’ also.

They said it was in this light that the guru had urged that the media mediate in any future talks so that there is complete transparency and ensure they were not derailed by some “unseen force”.

Dera sources said they were interested in holding talks. They claimed that the third round of talks had failed because the government was wary of giving credit for resolution of the controversy to Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee head Paramjit Singh Sarna despite the fact that the “draft apology” had been completely accepted by members of the Sant Samaj and others who attended the meeting.

Meanwhile, the dera also released the transcript of answers given by Gurmeet Ram Raheem during the ‘majlis’ yesterday. According to the transcript, the Guru is quoted as saying: “We have been the first movers, never the second. Our responsible persons are always ready. Please mediate and get the talks started.”

with thanks : http://www.tribuneindia.com & Mr. Jangveer Singh, Tribune News Service

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