SGPC to form panel to resolve Dhadrianwale-Taksal tussle

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 31

After an unsuccessful attempt by Akal Takht to mediate between Sikh preacher Ranjit Singh Dhadrainwale and Damdami Taksal head Harnam Singh Dhumma, the SGPC today initiated efforts to resolve the issue.

The executive committee of the SGPC, which met here today, decided to constitute a committee of “neutral” Panthic leaders to iron out the differences between the two warring factions. The move reportedly came on the directions by Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal.

The matter assumed significance after both Sikh leaders blamed the government for playing a “partisan role” on the matter.

“It has been decided to rope in five to seven prominent Panthic personalities to strike a chord between the two warring factions,” SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar said.

Earlier on May 24, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh had tried to intervene and invited both groups at the Takht secretariat to find an amicable solution, but both sides rejected the proposal.

Makkar meets Dhumma

SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar on Tuesday held a closed-door meeting with Damdami Taksal (Mehta) head Harnam Singh Dhumma at the Taksal’s headquarters, Gurdwara Gurdarshan Parkash, near Amritsar. It is learnt that Makkar went to convince him to refrain from releasing any adverse comments against Dhadrianwale or the government and Akal Takht. Dhumma, who is considered close to the Badal family, recently slammed the Akali Dal, accusing it of initiating a biased probe into the attack on Sikh preacher Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale. He also openly supported all those who were arrested in the case. He had held Dhadrianwale responsible for assault on him due to his "irresponsible utterances".