He said the controversy had erupted at a time when the differences among leaders had narrowed down and efforts initiated by him to unite religious and political leaders appeared to be succeeding.

Without identifying such forces, he said these were both within the community and outside. He refused to say whether Akal Takht Jathedar Ranjit Singh had become an instrument in the hands of these forces.

The crisis deepened after Ranjit Singh banned Prof. Manjit Singh and Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Kewal Singh from attending the meetings of the clergy till the submission of accounts of the world Sikh Council by them. Prof. Manjit Singh was also earlier president of the World Sikh Council and was replacedby Justice Kuldip Singh.

He washed off his hands from the accounts of the Council saying he had written to general secretary Jaswant Singh Mann to submit accounts to Justice Kuldip Singh. He said Justice Kuldip Singh had never raised this issue with him after that. Still, he provided details of the accounts of the council which he described as non-issue.

At the same time, he offered to give clarifications if any sought by independent religious leaders in the Golden Temple. He was prepared to face any punishment in case any concrete evidence of irregularities was brought before him. He also offered full cooperation to Justice Singh on this issue. He did not favour dragging the Council issue in the courts.

He said before meeting Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, he and Kewal Singh had called on Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee chief Gurcharan Singh Tohra four times to apprise him of the situation and seeking his intervention. He asserted efforts were being made to mislead the Sikhs.

He made itclear the SGPC chief had not so far sought his resignation. He felt linking his resignation to the Council accounts would be unfortunate.

He said even before Ranjit Singh banned him from attending the meetings of the clergy at Akal Takht, he had dissociated himself under protest and the same was brought Tohra's notice. He had objected to the foul language used by Ranjit Singh at one of the meetings. ``The dignity of the high institutions must be maintained'', he said.

He pointed out his first major difference with Ranjit Singh was on the move to excommunicate Sant Mohinder Singh of England, presently responsible for the kar sewa of gold plating the Golden Temple on the langar issue on a frivolous complaint, without seeking his explanation. Ranjit Singh insisted on his ex-communication. The complaint was later found to be baseless.

On the convening of Sarbat Khalsa to discuss the ongoing controversy, he felt the problem would be as to who would convene it and who would be invited.

He also spoke on theneed for involving all the five jathedars of the takhts while issuing Hukamnama.