Attack on Jathedar bid to vitiate peace: Akal Takht

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 6

Akal Takht and the SGPC have condemned the attack on Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib Jathedar Giani Mal Singh.

Terming the incident unfortunate, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh said such behaviour was intolerable in the disciplined Sikh community. He said such incidents brought shame to the community. He justified the Sikh clergy’s decision to grant pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, contending that the move was aimed at maintaining peace and harmony.

He said a committee had been set up on the matter and anyone could send his opinion to it. He reiterated that acts like these would prove harmful to the community. He appealed to the Sikh outfits to sit together to sort out the matter.

SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar said the Sikh high priests took the decisions while keeping in mind the larger interest of the community.

He, however, said some elements were trying to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere over the matter. He said though the accused who attacked Giani Mal Singh had been arrested, those who planned the attack should also be exposed.

On falling Sikh population, he said: "Migration is the main reason for the decrease in Sikh population here. He reasoned that Sikhs have been migrating to seek employment opportunities abroad."

No one has right to hold Sarbat Khalsa: SGPC

Ludhiana: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Avtar Singh Makkar on Tuesday said nobody had the right to hold Sarbat Khalsa (congregation of Sikhs). He was reacting to the announcement of various Sikh bodies who gave a call to hold Sarbat Khalsa to reject Akal Takht’s decision to condone Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. Makkar said: “Nobody has the power to do so. A handful of people are trying to play up the matter unnecessarily. Sarbat Khalsa will never be possible,” he said. Makkar was in the city on Tuesday to inaugurate a memorial built to commemorate the 1846 Anglo-Sikh War at Aliwal village. He said the decision to pardon the dera chief had SGPC’s support. “I am with the decision of the Sikh high priests. The letters written by him (dera chief) seeking an apology have been accepted,” he said. Asked if the dera chief will seek a formal apology by personally visiting Harmandar Sahib, Makkar said: “Whatever he does will be all right”. — TNS