Sonia was advised by the state government to postpone her visit owing to security problems -- October 4 coincides with Foundation Day of Amritsar and celebrations of birth anniversary of Guru Ram Dass, the founder of Amritsar.

PPCC president Amarinder Singh had announced that the Congress president would visit Golden Temple on September 27, but later the visit was advanced to October 4.

PPCC general secretary, Raj Kumar told The Indian Express that Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) had written to district administration regarding postponement of Sonia's visit to October 4 due to expected heavy rush of devotees on that day.

Raj Kumar said he had talked to George, private secretary of Sonia Gandhi, who said a fresh date will be intimated shortly. He said that she was expected to rescheduleher visit for October 8 or 9 but no final confirmation is yet received by PPCC.

SSP Amritsar, Gurdev Singh Sahota said on phone, that police authorities had informed the state government and top security officials regarding the security risk Sonia may face during her visit. He confirmed that she was not coming on October 4 or 7 as per newspaper reports.

It is learnt that at a meeting of district administration to discuss arrangements for Sonia's visit, apprehensions of demonstrations by Sikhs were considered. She will be the first member of the Gandhi family to visit Golden Temple after assassination of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi.

The Shiromani Gurudawara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and jathedar of Akal Takhat Bhai Ranjit Singh had already announced that no formal welcome and honour would be given to her.

CHANDIGARH: Earlier in the day, Akali Dal (Amritsar) president Simranjeet Singh Mann had demanded an unequivocal apology from Congress president Sonia Gandhi for the 1984 Operation Bluestarordered by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Answering newsmen's questions at a press conference here today, Mann said if the Congress could apologise to the Muslims for the demolition of Babri Masjid, why it could not apologise to the Sikhs?

He said that Sonia Gandhi should also apologise on behalf of the Congress in the Parliament as that is the forum where an apology is expected. Her apology during the proposed visit to Golden Temple on October 4 would be ``welcomed'', he added.