Dera chief says "no dispute" with Sikhs

Sirsa (Haryana), Apr 27, 2009: Blaming misunderstandings created by vested interests for the violent standoff between his followers and Sikhs, the controversial Dera Sacha Sauda chief has said he never tendered an apology to Akal
Takht, the temporal body of Sikhs, but had only sought "peace talks".
"One 100 per cent, No. There is no dispute between Sikhs and us. They are not against us and do not hate me. There are lots of Sikhs here," Dera chief Gurmeet
Ram Rahim said referring to thousands of people who congregated yesterday to attend a 'Satsang' (spiritual discourse) at the sect's headquarters here.
The 64-year-old Dera chief, who is facing charges of murder and sexual exploitation of sadhvis, said the question of a Dera-Sikh standoff does not arise at all and blamed some selfish people for the "misunderstanding" between his
followers and the Sikhs.
"Those who feel threatened by our increasing numbers and surging crowds could be the ones behind this problem. Otherwise there is no issue between the Dera and the Sikhs or any other religion. All are the children of God and we love
everyone," he said.
Referring to reports that he had sought apology for hurting sentiments of Sikhs, he said, "I never tendered any apology to Akal Takht. What I asked for was peace talks."
The Dera chief's comments assume significance as the sect, which has had strained ties with the Akalis, can influence the result in Lok Sabha seats of
Bhatinda, Ferozpur Faridkot, Patiala, Sangrur and even Ludhiana in Punjab and
Sirsa (reserved) in Haryana.
"People are sad about the distorted facts. Write what is right. Do not play with the words. If you (journalists) are on the path of righteousness you will report without deviating from the facts," Gurmeet Ram Rahim said.
"If I have ever said any bad words against anyone. I will stop doing Satsang," the spiritual leader said.
Referring to the controversy that erupted in 2007 after he allegedly appeared in public attired as the 10th Sikh Guru Gobind Singh, the Dera chief said, "Match the dress which I had worn. It was similar to the Mughal dresses of
an earlier period...."
He also made it clear that he had never hurt the religious sentiments of any person or any community and claimed that the issue was not "religious" but political.
"An open offer was also made to the media to mediate meaningfully and bring both side to the negotiating table... this is not a religious matter but a political one.
Since 1948 no religious figure has ever been criticised by the Dera," he
said.
The Dera chief said he was committed to peace and was ready to do everything for it.
"I am ready for peace for all. Whatever the case may be... ever since the beginning of the entire episode, we are entirely committed to peace," he said.
Asked whether he had been approached by the Akal Takht following the controversy, he said "No. I have not received any call from them".