Dal Khalsa recognizes Bhai Harnam Singh 'Bhindranwale' as new head of Damdami Taksal. It has accused the jathedar of the Akal Takht for playing the partisan role vis-à-vis split in Taksal.

Addressing the press conference party chief and general secretary Harchranjit Singh Dhami and Kanwarpal Singh said in case Joginder Singh Vedanti in capacity of jathedar of the Akal Takht would not stop toeing the line of Badal led Akali Dal, we would be forced to refuse to follow his dictates and decisions.

They suggested Vedanti ji to do a fair self-introspection about his performance, achievements and shortcomings during his stint as jathedar. "We have a strong observation that Vedanti ji has failed to represent the collective will of the Sikh Panth", said Mr Dhami. Ironically, he has reduced himself to "jathedar" of the single party, said Dal Khalsa leader.

The organization released the new-year calendar at its Head quarters 'Freedom House' at Amritsar on Jan 6, 2005 to commemorate the 16th death anniversary of Shaheed Kehar Singh and Shaheed Satwant Singh, the assassins of Indira Gandhi who were hanged in 1989 this day. Describing them as 'martyrs of the faith' they said that the then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi sinned for ordering the attack on Darbar Sahib in June 84.

Dal Khalsa targeted Joginder Singh Vedanti for playing biased role in the split of Damdami Taksal. "Vedanti ji could have played a positive and much better role. Instead of siding with either party, he could have used his good offices to bring rapprochement to both the warring factions". The post of the jathedar was above partisan but Vedanti ji has failed to keep the dignity and supremacy of the institution intact, said the release.

Dal Khalsa said if Jathedar will not stop toeing the line of his appointing authority than a day was not far when they (SIKHS) would refuse to follow the dictates and decisions of Vedanti ji. "How could we follow the sermons of the person who has been inclined and aligned with a particular single party", asked he.

Taking exception on the issue of SGPC not honouring Bhai Harnam Singh during his visit to Darbar Sahib, he said the SGPC has drastically changed now. Parting away from rich traditions in honoring devotee Gursikhs, the SGPC has a "good" record of honouring corrupt leaders with siropas. The obvious reference was when senior and junior Badal were released on bail in corruption case they were presented siropa by jathedar and the SGPC at Akal Takht.

Party senior functionaries including Gurinder Singh Chahal, Sarbjit Singh Ghuman, Dr Manjinder Singh and Shinderpal Singh, were also present during the press conference.