NEW DELHI/CHANDIGARH, 22 May 2007 — Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal yesterday categorically told the Dera Sacha Sauda chief to apologize to the Sikh community for his actions to defuse the tension between the Sikh community and the sect.
“No one is big or small. He should realize his mistake and apologize to the Sikh community. This will help defuse the tense situation,” Badal told reporters.
The chief minister also stated that since a case had been registered against Dera chief Gurmit Ram Rahim for hurting religious sentiments of the Sikh community, his arrest would be a natural step.
Earlier in the day, the Dera had maintained that its chief had committed no mistake so there was no question of any apology. “We have already regretted the entire episode that might have hurt feelings of the Sikh community,” Dera spokesman Aditya Insaan said in Sirsa, 300 km from here.
The Sikh community is protesting against the Dera chief for portraying himself like 10th Sikh guru Gobind Singh.
The protests led to large-scale violence in Punjab for five days last week.
The Dera spokesman reminded Badal of his “raj dharm,” or ruler’s duty.
Badal was quick to react saying that he knew his politics and it was for the sect to follow the “dera dharm” (sect principles).
