Makkar faces protest, not allowed to speak

Sanjay Bumbroo & Surinder Bhardwaj

Tribune News Service

Fatehgarh Sahib, December 28

A number of Sikh activists today did not allow Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh and SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar to address devotees at the concluding day event of the Shaheedi Jor Mela.

When Makkar started his speech after the palanquin carrying Guru Granth Sahib arrived near Gurdwara Jyoti Swarup, some activists waved black flags and shouted slogans.

They were joined by radical groups who also raised slogans forcing Makkar to abort his speech. The police swung into action and escorted the SGPC chief to a safer place inside Gurdwara Jyoti Swarup. Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh too had to leave without addressing the community.

SGPC Executive Member Karnail Singh Panjoli tried to pacify the protesters, but they refused to relent and continued sloganeering.

Makkar could not be contacted. Panjoli said there was resentment among the Sikh community against certain recent decisions by Takht Jathedars and the SGPC chief. He said no one had tried to disrupt the proceedings when he delivered his speech. He said it was high time the Akali Dal took corrective measures by replacing jathedars of the five Takhts to restore the faith of the community in the highest Sikh institutions.

Sources said several radical Sikh organisations had warned Jathedars of the five Takhts not to attend the concluding function of the Jor Mela. They had been demanding the release of their leaders who were arrested after Sarbat Khalsa.

Earlier on Friday, Makkar was not allowed to speak at "Safar-e-Shahaadat", a function organised at Thandi Burj at Fatehgah Sahib Gurdwara. 

Mini-bus carrying devotees overturns; 1 dead, 14 hurt

One person was killed and 14 injured when an overloaded mini-bus carrying more than 35 passengers overturned near Tarkhanmajra village near Sirhind this evening. The victim has been identified as Darshan Singh of Bhadson. The injured were rushed to the Civil Hospital. Three critically injured were referred to Rajendra Hospital, Patiala. 

Baldev Singh, ASI, said the mini-bus was on its way to Bhadson. The devotees were returning after paying obeisance at the Jor Mela. He said the mini-bus overturned when its driver tried to overtake a tractor but lost control of the bus after one of its tyres hit a stone. The police have registered a case against the driver.