Kuldip Nayar's autobiography angers Sikh group

Amritsar: Veteran journalist Kuldip Nayar has angered a radical Sikh outfit as his recently-released autobiography 'Beyond the Lines' has termed Sikh militant leader Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale as a creation of Congress.

The book's allegation that Sikh Student's Federation president Bhai Amrik Singh, who died during Operation Blue Star in June 1984, was an "IB agent" has also earned the ire of the Sikh outfit Dal Khalsa.

Nayar has also alleged former President Zail Singh had blessed the formation of Sikh separatist group Dal Khalsa to "needle the Akalis" on April 13, 1978.

Nayar has alleged that former President Zail Singh had blessed the formation of Sikh separatist group Dal Khalsa.

In a sharp reaction, Dal Khalsa on Wednesday dismissed Nayar's allegations as "vilified propaganda".

"Our party came into being on 13th August and not 13th April as claimed by Nayar", said Dal Khalsa head H S Dhami.

Nayar's book alleges Zail Singh had paid the bill of Dal Khalsa press conference at Hotel Aroma at the time of its formation.

However, Dhami said their men paid the bill of nearly Rs 98 on their own.

"He (Nayar) has tried to portray our group in bad light and we warn him either to prove his accusation or take back his words", Dhami said.

He said Dal Khalsa would not tolerate "insults" to Bhindrawale and Bhai Amrik Singh.

Meanwhile, BJP spokesman Ravishanker Prasad told reporters in New Delhi in reply to a question that "as far as content of the book is concerned, I have not seen his book and so I can't comment.

"But as far as Congress' involvement in promotion and management of Bhindranwale is concerned, it is too well known...and when you play politics with extremism and terrorism, it is not good for the country".

(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)