Amritsar, Punjab (December 20, 2012): Columnist and writer Kuldip Nayar has removed objectionable contents about Dal Khalsa and AISSF president Amrik Singh from his autobiography in order to pacify the hurt feelings of devout Sikhs. However, the author has not deleted the controversial portion relating to Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale, which has left the Panthic groups far from being satisfied.
The autobiography ‘Beyond the Lines’, stirred up a hornet’s nest in July this year. The book alleged that Sikh Student’s Federation president Bhai Amrik Singh, who died during Operation Blue Star in June 1984, was “IB agent” and the Dal Khalsa was blessed by former President Zail Singh to “needle the Akalis” in 1978. The author also alleged that Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale was the creation of the Congress.
The Dal Khalsa, which was first to react dismissed Nayar’s allegations and termed it as “vilified propaganda’ seeking his apology. In the wake of Panthic groups pressing Nayar either to give proof or take his words back, the veteran journalist in a statement issued on July 15 tendered an apology from Sikhs for his controversial comments and promised to delete those portions from his autobiography.
The recently released third edition (impression) of the book, the portion containing about the Dal Khalsa and Bhai Amrik Singh have been removed. However, the “objectionable” portion regarding Sant Bhindrawale still remains in the book.
Showing disappointment, Kanwar Pal Singh of Dal Khalsa said Nayar has not fulfilled his commitment in its entirety. He said Nayar was supposed to remove all the objectionable portions and not ‘partial’. By not keeping his words, Nayar has shown insincerity, said he.
Damdami Taksal spokesperson Bhai Mohkam Singh in a sharp reaction said they would not allow the author to malign the image of Sant Bhindrawale. Mohkam Singh lambasted Nayar for showing Sikh martyr in a bad light, which he said was unacceptable and intolerable.