Akal Takht’s U-turn politically motivated: Sikh bodies

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 16

Even as Akal Takht has withdrawn its edict exonerating Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the U-turn has invited criticism from several quarters.

The move has raised a question mark over the "justification" of the SGPC over Akal Takht's edict on absolving the dera chief of the blasphemous act through advertisements in the newspapers.

Various Sikh organisations termed it as yet another politically motivated move.

Former jathedar Giani Kewal Singh and Akal Purakh ki Fauj chief Jaswinder Singh Advocate said the U-turn by Akal Takht showed the power of the Panth (Sikh masses). They said the Akal Takht jathedar should submit his resignation on moral grounds, as the move had damaged the sanctity of the Sikh religion.

American Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee coordinator Pritpal Singh said the Panth had compelled the jathedars to review their edict.

HS Cheema, SAD (Panch Pardhani) leader, said, "The earlier edict was taken under the influence of the Badal leadership who wanted to garner votes. Now, the decision has been withdrawn again because of political compulsions as it had evoked staunch criticism from the Sikh community all over the world.”

Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Managing Committee (DSGMC) chief Manjit Singh GK said Akal Takht's all edicts should be accepted and honoured.

However, former DSGMC chief Paramjit Singh Sarna said even as the Akal Takht's move to withdraw its edict was a sort of relief for the Panth , the real justice would be done only when the jathedars who violated the norms were removed.