Minister Tarunpreet Sond, MLA Inderbir Nijjar appear at Akal Takht
Sond gives a clarification over a painting showing Guru Gobind Singh wearing shoes while administering ‘amrit’ to Bhai Jaita Ji, at Bhai Jeevan Singh Memorial, Anandpur Sahib
On the directions of the five Sikh high priests, Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Tarunpreet Sond and Chief Khalsa Diwan president and AAP MLA Inderbir Nijjar appeared at the Akal Takht here on Monday.
Sond gave a clarification over a painting showing Guru Gobind Singh wearing shoes while administering ‘amrit’ to Bhai Jaita Ji, at Bhai Jeevan Singh Memorial, Anandpur Sahib.
Akal Takht officiating jathedar Kuldip Gargaj heard the clarification from the two AAP leaders.
Sond, in his clarification, said he would suggest to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to appoint an official, who is well-versed in Sikh history, culture and code of conduct, in the tourism department.
Nijjar assured the Takht that he would abide by the constitution of the Chief Khalsa Diwan, according to which only amritdhari Sikhs can be its members.
On November 18, Gargaj had asked Sond to appear at the Takht within a week to give the clarification, while the director of the department was asked to send a written clarification.
He could not appear before the Takht then owing to the functions on the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Teg Bahadur.
SGPC president Harjinder Dhami on November 11 had sought an apology from the government and the painting’s immediate removal from the memorial.
