Tuesday, 26 October 2010
By Jagmohan Singh
AMRITSAR: A radical Sikh Organisation the Dal Khalsa today asked the Sikh leadership of all shades not to “jump to any conclusion” on the forthcoming visit of US president Barack Obama to Golden Temple, Amritsar.
Taking exception over the contradictory statements of Sikh religio-political leaders, the party spokesperson Kanwar Pal Singh said let the US president to decide on his own whether he wishes to pay obeisance at Darbar Sahib. He took jibe at Akali leaders for overreacting on the issue. His visit to Golden Temple should not ‘look to be a forced one’, he said.
Undoubtedly, the Sikh Nation would welcome the US president in case he visits Darbar Sahib. However, in case the White House organizers for whatever reasons decide otherwise the Sikhs should not feel regret, he said.
By issuing baseless statements on the matter certain Sikh leaders were creating uncomfortable situation for both the sides. According to US Embassy in New Delhi, the details of the President’s visit were still being finalized, he claimed.
He expressed surprise over the timing and contents of the news report in which the NIA officials have claimed that David Coleman Headley detained in US prison has revealed that the massacre of Sikhs in March 2000 at village Chittisinghpora, which took place three days before then US President Bill Clinton’s visit to India, was carried out by the Lashkar-e-Tayyeba.
Strongly refuting the so-called revelation, he said it’s a planted story by the intelligence sleuths. It could be an effort to draw suspicion away from the state sponsored mercenaries, who may well be planning another similar attack during President Barack Obama’s impending visit, he observed. “Look at the timing of the leak of the story, clearly reflecting the hidden design of the state’s security establishment”, said Dal Khalsa leader.
Sharing the apprehension expressed by stalwart Kashmiri leader Syed Ali Geelani at press conference in Srinagar, he alleged "we fear that the hit squads of the Indian intelligence agencies can do anything (similar) as they did in Chattisingpora in March 2000”.