Gurbhagat Singh of Punjabi University regrets that the present direction of Sikh politics is not proper. Terming the circumstances concerning Tohra's resignation as "unfortunate", he feels that if people who serve the community are treated badly, this would act as a deterrent for people to come forward to serve.

When asked about the future of Sikh politics, Gurbhagat relies upon mythology to state that it is time for `manthan'. Whether this `manthan' takes place by way of elections is not clear, he adds. The question is of supremacy of the Akal Takht and this institution should not be harmed. It is only when the Akal Takht Jathedar wishes to leave, that he can go and nobody else can decide when he can go. "Overall I feel betrayed by the Sikh leaders", he adds.

A former principal of SGGS College, Bharpur Singh feels that the Akali Dal is now heading for a split with the chances of retrieval having ended. He observed that current developments indicate that Badal is in no mood for reconciliation and identifies three blunders as the reasons responsible for the current situation -- the happenings at the Akal Takht, split in the party and split in the SGPC. "If the Akali Dal has to have relevance among Sikhs, these three institutions have to be revered," he adds.

The Chairman of Guru Nanak Sikh Studies, Panjab University, Prof Darshan Singh, however, terms the situation as "a process of purgation," while adding that only those who are committed will continue. He regrets that political tussle had acquired religious overtones and those who seek to uphold Panthic traditions have been the ones who have hurt them the most. He is of the opinion that no attempts should be made to destabilise the government in the interests of the state.

"Sikh politics has to learn a lesson from the current situation and this is a test case. Participants will have to improve themselves so that they are able to posit themselves at a global level," he adds.

Another Sikh scholar who did not wish to be identified, observed that the present situation is more than a mere clash of personalities but is a historical process. The symbiotic relationship between the religious and political institutions which has existed so far, seems to be on a path of reorientation. This is also a logical course of events in the historical sense, he added. The former advocate general, Punjab, G S Grewal feels that there is a ray of hope even in this tragic split. With Tohra now being free from any interests in the SGPC, he should be playing a constructive role and hoped that he would emerge as an alternative.

A close confidant of Tohra who was suspended from primary membership of the party at the beginning of the confrontation, Col Jasmer Singh Bala sought to justify the resignation tendered by Tohra. He did this to prevent wholesale disobedience of the hukumnama and preferred to sacrifice his position, Bala said. He felt that the actions of Badal were not proper specially on the eve of the tercentenary celebrations as these actions will vitiate the atmosphere.