Referring to the working of the SGPC, Tohra said the Akali Dal Government, like any other state government, is bound by the Constitution and should desist from interfering in religious matters. Tohra also asserted that while he had apprehensions that the police may frame some innocents to justify the search of the Golden Temple complex, he strongly opposed any attempt to foment trouble in the state. The SGPC chief was here to attend a bhog ceremony at the house of former minister Maheshinder Singh Grewal.

Responding to a query regarding the removal of the Akal Takht Jathedar, Tohra added, ``While the SGPCexecutive is the appointing authority for the Takht Jathedar, it cannot remove him without the consent of various representative bodies of the Sikh faith.'' He said there was a parallel in the appointment of a Supreme Court judge. The President was the appointing authority, but he cannot remove the judge from his post without a two-thirds majority in Parliament.

Tohra added: ``In any case what is the justification for removing him. You don't remove him because he has summoned Barjinder Singh Hamdard for an offence following complaints by the SGPC Dharam Prachar Committee or a Jathedar, who has kept company with men who were excommunicated following an order to which he was a signatory.'' He said the question of removal comes only if he has violated the faith or gone against the interests of the Sikhs.

Narrating the past, he said, the SGPC under Tara Singh had launched a struggle against Government's interference in religion. Tohra said that even Badal had participated in the struggle. The SGPC chiefsaid he would request the CM to shun the wrong path and act in a responsible manner.