Akal Takht summons Punjab minister Harjot Bains over 'controversial' Srinagar event on Aug 6

The Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs, has summoned Punjab Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains to appear before the five Sikh high priests at 9 am on August 6.

He has been directed to present his clarification regarding the controversial Srinagar event held to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Teg Bahadur, which allegedly hurt Sikh religious sentiments.

The hearing will also involve Jaswant Singh, Director of the Language Department, who, along with the Education Minister, had been summoned over a dance performance staged during the state event held last month.

Akal Takht Secretariat incharge Bagicha Singh confirmed that the Cabinet Minister was informed via email. However, Jaswant Singh will not appear on August 6, as he is currently abroad attending a close relative’s wedding and is expected to return by August 12. He will be summoned on a later date.

The meeting was initially scheduled for August 1, but was postponed due to the sudden demise of officiating Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj’s brother-in-law in a road accident.