Saying there was no question of apologising to the Akal Takht since he had “not tried to emulate” Guru Gobind Singh, Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, whose arrest has been demanded by the Sikh high priests, today called for a dialogue to end the crisis.

Asking his followers to remain peaceful, the Dera chief said: “Every problem can be solved through dialogue for which we are ready.”

“We believe in love and peace as love is the name of God. Our followers are also Sikh and such a decision of social boycott of Dera sewadars will hurt sentiments,” he said.

For the Dera followers, it was a bewildering day. It was only by evening that they learnt of the Talwandi Sabo meeting decision, calling for a social boycott of the Dera and its followers by the Sikhs.

As word spread that the Dera at Salabatpura was under threat, followers rushed to their vehicles and set out for Salabatpura. Those who stayed behind took to sloganeering.

“We are not mobilising anyone. But we were given an advisory by the Punjab ADGP (Law) Chandrashekhar to vacate all our deras in Punjab,” said Dr Aditya Arora, Dera’s chief spokesperson. Sirsa SP Vikas Arora and DC V Uma Shankar were in a closed-door meeting with Dera’s vice-chairman Dr Prithviraj.

Arora said that the decision of the Sikh priests, calling for the boycott of the Dera, had only complicated matters. “We had not expected this. Our satsangis are Sikhs. They have relatives who are Sikhs. They should be allowed to keep their relationship,” he said.