Standoff prompts Akal Takht to intervene

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 24

The animosity brewing between Damdami Taksal head Harnam Singh Dhumma and Sikh preacher Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale has prompted Akal Takht to intervene and resolve their differences.

Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh said both Sikh leaders would be called at the Akal Takht Secretariat to find an amicable solution to defuse the tension.

He said: “Given the gravity of the situation it has been decided to call both groups at Akal Takht. They will be asked to bury their differences in the interest of the Sikh community. Some anti-Sikh elements are trying to take advantage of this situation.”

Former Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib Giani Kewal Singh said no local Sikh organisation took initiative to resolve the matter. “Dhumma should have had a dialogue with the Sikh preacher in a peaceful manner instead of fuelling the fire by releasing more damaging statements,” he said.

Sikh bodies call for peace

US-based Sikh organisations viewed this instance as an outcome of a nexus between politicians and anti-Sikh forces.

Dr Rajwant Singh, chairman of Washington-based Sikh Council on Religion and Education, said Sikh organisations in India had been maintaining silence on the matter which was sending wrong signals.

“The culprits are trying to justify their violent action by saying that this was due to Dhadrianwale criticising Dasam Granth. This is a mere diversion tactic to create confusion in the Sikh community,” he said.

Gurdev Singh Kang, president, Sikh Cultural Society, a New-York group, said: “Nobody should be allowed to create fear among the preachers of Sikhism or those who are trying to spread the message of our Gurus.”

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Sarabjit Singh Sidhu, chairman, Guru Gobind Singh Foundation, based in Washington DC, said: “In the last few months, the Sikh community has been gravely disappointed by the lack of action on behalf of the Punjab government in apprehending those who are involved in the desecration of Guru Granth Sahib.”

The American Sikh Council (ASC) too has expressed its concern about the security, law and order situation in Punjab. 

State govt, taksal under fire

Capt blames Badal for tension

Chandigarh: Punjab Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh on Tuesday blamed Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal for the ongoing “war” between the Sikh preachers as part of his agenda of “controlled destabilisation” in the state. “While the old wounds over desecration of the holy Guru Granth Sahib at Bargari were yet to heal, he has masterminded yet another plot, this time by putting one group of religious leaders against the other, by patronising one and expressing sympathies with the other at the same time,” he said in a statement. “How is it possible that such a planned attack by so many people went unnoticed till it was executed?” he asked. — TNS

Preneet Kaur meets Sikh preacher

Patiala: Local MLA Preneet Kaur on Tuesday met Dhadarianwale and assured him that the Congress was closely following the case related to the murderous assault on him. She told Dhadrianwale that they would ensure that the culprits were nailed. She said the attack reflected the "fragile" state of law and order in the state where the criminals were having a field day and had no fear of law. She said they would never play politics on such a sensitive issue. — TNS

Sarna demands CBI probe

Ludhiana: Former DSGMC president Paramjit Singh Sarna on Tuesday demanded a CBI inquiry into the attack on Dhandriawale. He said if the conspirators behind the attack were not exposed, it would lead to disturbance in Punjab. Sarna said that it was a planned attack on the Sikh preacher. On Dhumma’s alleged involvement, he said it might be an attempt to defame the Damdami Taksal or some RSS policy. The government must ensure that the truth was revealed, he said. — TNS

UAD lashes out at Dhumma

Jalandhar: Holding Damdami Taksal chief Harnam Singh Dhumma responsible for the backing the alleged assailants of Dhadrianwale, the United Akali Dal on Tuesday said Dhumma had been deviated from the principles and legacy of the Damdami Taksal. Addressing the media, UAD chief Mohkam Singh said Dhumma must take his statement back as it presented the Taksal in a bad shape. He said the entire episode might lead to a divide among the Sikh community. The organisation has also decided to form an alliance of 'Panthic' organizations and farmers unions in Punjab to participate in the 2017 elections. — TNS