Akal Takht summons Bhai Guriqbal over b’day posters

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, April 26

The Akal Takht has raised objections over the posters released in context of Bibi Kaula Jee Bhalai Trust head Bhai Guriqbal Singh’s birthday and summoned him for clarification.

In a letter released by the Akal Takht Secretariat, Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh stated that the word ‘aagman divas’ (occasionally used to depict gurpurb) in the posters depicting the birthday of Bhai Guriqbal Singh birthday was highly objectionable.

He viewed that it was done to gain public attention and accolades by twisting the language exclusively used for religious occasions. “Bhai Guriqbal Singh has been directed to submit a written explanation for this lapse at the Akal Takht,” said Giani Gurbachan Singh.

Bhai Guriqbal Singh said that he revered the Akal Takht and that he never got any poster published but some of his supporters had posted it on social media. “I could never assume in my wildest dreams to equate my birthday with that of ‘aagman divas’. I too was pained when I came to know about such a poster getting viral on social media”, he said.

Bhai Guriqbal Singh’s birthday was celebrated on Wednesday by his supporters. An organisation based in Patiala had posted the poster on social media and websites in which the day was referred as ‘aagman divas’. Some verses of Gurbani were also written and he was addressed with synonyms like son of Guru Gobind Singh, beloved of Baba Deep Singh and Mata Kaulan.

It has been learnt that Bibi Kaula Jee Trust has already submitted a public apology.

Meanwhile, in another case, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh has demanded a probe against a woman who was allegedly involved in sacrilege incident at a gurdwara in Bhudhar village in Muktsar. “There have been reports that the woman had association with Dera Sirsa in the past and she should be thoroughly interrogated to know her motive behind this act.”