Takht to act against those who sought dera support

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 4

After a mum, the Akal Takht today announced to initiate action against the Sikh candidates who went to seek support from the Sirsa dera for garnering votes. The SGPC has been asked to probe the matter and gather requisite proofs.

Controversy arose after some Akali candidates from the Malwa region had attended a meeting of Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda’s political wing in Bathinda. It was reported that the leaders assured to facilitate the religious congregation of the Dera head in Punjab, if voted to power again.

Later, Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh had announced to extend support to the SAD-BJP combine for the Assembly polls.

On May 17, 2007, the then five high priests - Joginder Singh Vedanti, Iqbal Singh, Tarlochan Singh, Balwant Singh Nandgarh and Golden Temple’s priest Jagtar Singh - had issued ‘hukumnama’ for the Sikh community to boycott the Sirsa dera head socially, religiously and politically for his indulgence in blasphemous act of impersonating Guru Gobind Singh.

Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh and other Takht heads remained incognito after the matter came to light. Their mobile phones too were found to be switched off.

However, Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh became ‘reachable’ immediately after polling.

He said, “It was sheer violation of the Akal Takht edict to have any sort of relation which the Dera Sacha Sauda. Those who had gone to seek support for political gains are certainly liable to face action. The video clippings and still photographs too will be procured to identify them. We have also received a complaint from the DSGMC’s former president Paramjit Singh Sarna demanding action against those leaders who compromised with the Panth maryada to gain political mileage. The SGPC has been told to scrutinise it. As soon as the report is received, action will be taken accordingly.”

Meanwhile, the Akal Takht Jathedar denied having any meeting of the five Takht heads in the recent past over the issue, as was surfaced on social media.

In the past few days, a fake “hukumnama” flashed on social media that demanded boycott of the entire SAD leadership for allegedly violating the edicts of the Akal Takht. This ‘hukumnama’ also had incorrect dateline as 3/4/2017.

Similarly, another letter under the forged signatures of Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh was posted on the social media.