Didn’t intervene in religious affairs: Badal

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Gidderbaha, April 23

Refuting the allegations levelled by former Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib Giani Gurmukh Singh, former CM Parkash Singh Badal today claimed that it was wrong to say that any decision regarding the grant of pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief was taken at his residence.

He said he had no role in the removal of Giani Gurmukh Singh, who alleged that the SGPC acted at the behest of its political bosses.

“It is up to the SGPC to remove or appoint Jathedars. I never intervened in its working,” said Badal, who today visited the family of a vendor, Manish Kumar, who had set himself ablaze alleging harassment by aides of Congress MLA Amrinder Singh Raja Warring.

Badal spoke to Deputy Commissioner Sumeet Jarangal over the phone after the victim’s kin alleged that the administration was working under pressure and had given a clean chit to the accused.

Talking to the media, Badal criticised the Congress government, saying: “They used to target us on various issues. Now all problems have increased. Be it farmer suicides or law and order issues. The Congress leaders are indulging in vendetta politics. They have snatched some businesses like cleaning of solar power plants and wrested control on truck operators’ unions. Their vindictive policy will not last longer. I assure everyone that the SAD will take stand on every genuine issue.”

The former CM also met the family of a father-son duo who died at a sewage disposal plant on Wednesday and visited a local journalist, Shivraj Raju, who was allegedly assaulted by some Congressmen. He also condoled the death of party leader Gurmeet Mann’s father.

Ex-Jathedar relieved as head granthi

Amritsar: The SGPC on Sunday relieved Giani Gurmukh Singh as head granthi of the Akal Takht and withdrew his personal secretary and 'sewadar'. Sources in the SGPC stated that he has been given three days to join Gurdwara Nauwin Patshahi Dhamtan Sahib in Jind, Haryana. Bhai Gurmukh Singh said he had not yet received a communiqué in this regard and would consider shifting to Haryana after getting it. Responding to a query on his joining the Jind gurdwara as head granthi, he said, "The entire SGPC and all gurdwaras are my family and I am ready to go anywhere". TNS

Sikh organisations take on SGPC

Amritsar: Various Sikh religious organisations, including Panthic Sangharsh Committee on Sunday criticised the SGPC for not issuing prior notice and offering chance to former Takht Damdama Jathedar Giani Gurmukh Singh to present his view before sacking him. TNS