Punjab - The apology is not an apology!

Technically, it’s not an apology: Scholar

The press note issued by the Dera Sacha Sauda is unlikely to be accepted by the Sikh high priests when they meet tomorrow at Amritsar to discuss the apology offered by the Dera. It is contended by the Sikh scholars that technically it is not an apology offered on behalf of the person who has committed the offence.
Prof Prithipal Singh Kapoor, former pro-vice chancellor, Guru Nanak Dev University and renowned Sikh scholar, says that the format is false for being an apology. It is a press note. Secondly the apology could have been accepted although it was in the name of Guru Gobind Singh. But it neither bears the signatures of anyone nor the person who offended the feelings of the Sikh community as a whole.
Professor Kapoor said as for the apology being in the name of Guru Gobind Singh, it can be accepted because Guru Gobind Singh himself has said that he is very limb and body of the Khalsa. The Guru says, ”I belong to the Khalsa and the Khalsa belongs to me” and in this sense, the high priests are in a position to accept the apology. But the apology does not come from the man who was guilty of the offence by the high priests.
It is also learnt that the high priests are actively considering to appeal to the press also not to publish such advertisements that can touch the feelings of the people and stir their amotions.
Lieut-Col Chanan Singh Dhillon (retd), president, Indian Exservices League Punjab and Chandigarh, has appealed to the people of the state to maintain communal peace in the state as Punjab has already passed through a great trauma. “We cannot afford to have any communal disharmony in the state and the state government should take steps for the welfare of the state as a whole,” he said.