Apology a 'positive development', says Swami Agnivesh

"We haven't seen the written text. But we have been told that he has tendered an apology tonight. We think it is a positive development," he said.

Religious leader Swami Agnivesh, who was mediating to resolve the stand-off between Sikhs and the Dera Sacha Sauda, on Sunday night, described the apology tendered by the sect chief as a "positive development".

"We haven't seen the written text. But we have been told that he has tendered an apology tonight. We think it is a positive development," Agnivesh said.

Agnivesh, who had led a delegation of religious leaders to the Dera early this week, said after hearing the news he has spoken to Akal Takht Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti.

"When I spoke to him tonight, he told me that the five Sikh High Priests are meeting on May 29 to discuss the issue and a final decision will be taken then," he said.

Agnivesh said he has appealed to the Akal Takht Jathedar to consider the apology and help in bringing peace to the state.

He said he along with the other three religious leaders will meet tomorrow and decide whether they should visit Amritsar on May 29 to resolve the matter.

"We want to request them that even if they are not satisfied with the apology, they should work for bringing peace. It now rests with the Akal Takht," he said.

The head of Sirsa-based sect Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh, accused of blasphemy, tonight apologised to Sikh Guru Gobind Singh saying he had absolutely no intention to either imitate or replicate him.

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