Social activist Swami Agnivesh, who led a four member team to Dera Sacha Sauda headquarters in Sirsa to persuade Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh to tender an apology for allegedly hurting religious sentiments of Sikhs, has claimed that a break through has been achieved in the stand of between the Sikhs and Sacha Sauda followers.

"We got a draft from them in the evening and four of us worked for three hours on each and every word, and have sent the final draft back to the Dera headquarters for their approval. I am hopeful that the break through would be announced either late Thursday night or Friday morning," Agnivesh told rediff.com in an informal conversation over phone.

Agnivesh offered to mediate between the two groups, who were not willing to talk to each other.

Explanations of Gurmit Ram Rahim on television networks were rejected by Jethadar Joginder Singh Vedanti. The Akalis hardened their stand and wanted the government headed by Prakash Singh Badal to have Deras closed down in various townships in Punjab and force the followers to go back home.

The Dera chief's alleged imitation of Sikh Guru Gobind Singh's dress resulted in a ten-day showdown between Sikhs and Dera.