Kuldip Nayar's autobiography angers radical Sikh group

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 13th April 1978.

In a sharp reaction, Dal Khalsa today dismissed Nayar's allegations as 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 for 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".