Jathedar Nandgarh loses security

Perneet Singh

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 17

The state government has withdrawn security to Takht Sri Damdama Sahib Jathedar Balwant Singh Nandgarh.

Bathinda Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Inder Mohan Singh Bhatti said he was not aware of the matter. When contacted, SAD secretary and state minister Daljit Singh Cheema said: “The issue of granting or withdrawing security is not based on political grounds.”

The escort vehicle and six security personnel provided to the Jathedar have been reportedly withdrawn. Sources in the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) said the SAD had perhaps resorted to such a move because of the Jathedar’s opposition to the SAD move to implement the Bikrami calendar. Jathedar Nandgarh wants that the Nanakshahi calendar be followed. Besides, he has been openly critical of the RSS activities in the state. There are reports that the SAD has asked him to resign.

The Tribune had reported on December 9 that the SAD was thinking of reverting to the Bikrami calendar. With the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh on December 28 coinciding with the martyrdom day of the Sahibzadas, the Sikh high priests had announced that Gurpurb would be observed on January 7. But with Sikh organisations having made preparations for the Gurpurb on December 28, Akal Takht was forced to change its decision.