Dera solution possible today: Swami Agnivesh

Social activist Swami Agnivesh said on Tuesday night that a mutually acceptable solution to the ongoing controversy involving the Dera head Sant Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh was likely to be worked out by Wednesday. "The Sikhs will not have any complaints after that," he said.

Agnivesh who was accompanied by three other religious leaders -- Jain cleric, Lokesh Prakashm Father Phillip and Maulana Jamil Ahmed Illyasi held several rounds of discussion, spanning over eight hours, with the Dera head and the management hierarchy to impress upon them to tender an apology over the incident said that drafts for tendering an apology have to be re-worked again. "It's merely a question of words now. We are very optimistic about today's developments and a solution will come out tomorrow," he said.

What was most significant in Tuesday's development was that it was for the first time that the Dera head Sant Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh was directly involved in the talks with the management hierarchy playing a supporting role only.

Father Phillip who accompanied Agnivesh on his "peace mission" said that they have almost reached the conclusion to the problem, a reason why they were not staying back and leaving for New Delhi. Agnivesh said that the assurance given Sant Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh shows that he was ready to take the initiative.

Agnivesh who also held a meeting with SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar on Monday revealed that both the sides, the Dera and the Sikh clergy-have softened their stand on the issue and wanted to make peace.

On being asked whether the Central government has sought their intervention, Agnivesh said that they have taken an initiative on their own through their Sarv Dharm Samnwaya Manch.

The Dera head had earlier expressed his regret over the incident, a move which was rejected by Akal Takht.