Mann, Vedanti engage in war of words

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Express News Service

Posted online: Monday , July 07, 2008 at 09:14:52
Updated: Monday , July 07, 2008 at 09:14:52

Amritsar, July 06 Some tense moments prevailed in Jamarai village in Tarn Taran, the native place of Balkar Singh, who was killed by a bodyguard of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in Mumbai, today when SAD (A) president Simranjit Singh Mann quoted a text from the “Dasham Granth”, which was opposed by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti.

The occasion was the bhog of the Akhand Path organised for the departed soul. Quoting a couplet, Mann said politics and religion could not exist without each other, which Vedanti strongly opposed. This inflamed Mann’s supporters, who protested against Vedanti, flashing their ‘kirpans’ to express their resentment. The police had to intervene and escort the Akal Takht Jathedar to safety.

Later, Mann alleged that Vedanti had given a statement about Khalistan in New York, but was now opposing it. Ram Singh, secretary, SAD (A), condemned Vedanti for saying that the couplet was not given by the Gurus.

SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar announced that the SGPC would display Balkar Singh’s photograph at the Central Sikh Museum. He also gave Rs 1 lakh to Manjit Kaur, Balkar’s mother, and promised a job to a member of the family in the SGPC.

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