Sacked SGPC employees knock on Akal Takht door

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, November 24

The SGPC employees of Gurdwara Gurusar Madoke Brar in Ajnala whose services were terminated yesterday have now approached Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh.

While submitting a complaint against SGPC executive member Surjit Singh Bhittewad and manager Jagtar Singh, who, they claimed, were distorting facts to justify their termination, they told the Jathedar that if they were not reinstated, they would shun Sikhism and surrender their articles of faith at Akal Takht on November 27.

Dilbagh Singh, a sewadar, said they were hired in June following requisite norms. “Even our names are enrolled in the records of Akal Takht. They claim that we have not underwent amrit sanchar (baptised ceremony), but we have certificates to counter this,” he said.

Lovepreet Singh, another sacked employee, said: “We have given an ultimatum that if justice is not done, we will give up Sikhism, while apologising at Akal Takht,” he said. Malkit Singh, clerk, challenged Bhittewad’s statement that the poor economic condition of the shrine could not afford their salary. “The gurdwara has ample income from shops that have been leased out. The gurdwara has Rs18 lakh in its bank account at present,” he claimed.

Bhittewad had stated that the gurdwara’s income was Rs1.99 lakh per month, whereas the amount to be paid as salaries was over Rs3.5 lakh.