Protesters interrupt Makkar, Akal Takht Jathedar’s speech at Jor Mela

Sanjay Bumbroo and Surinder Bhardwaj

Tribune News Service

Fatehgarh Sahib, December 28

The three-day Shaheedi Jor Mela concluded on Monday amid high drama after some protesters did not allow Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh and SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar to speak at the end of the nagar kirtan.

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Some protesters began raising slogans as soon as Makkar began speaking after a palanquin carrying Guru Granth Sahib arrived near Gurdwara Jyoti Swarup, forcing him to abort. SGPC Executive Member Karnail Singh Panjoli’s attempts to pacify the protesters were unsuccessful.

The SGPC chief was immediately escorted to safety by police.

Makkar did not respond to calls for his comment on Monday’s incident, but sources claim SGPC had anticipated trouble and had asked Budha Dal Nihang Chief Baba Balbir Singh for security. Some 100 Nihangs cordoned off the area to prevent attacks from “fringe groups”.

Some “fringe groups” had asked Jathedars of the five Takhts to not attend the Mela’s closing ceremony.

Panjoli said there was discontent brewing among the Sikh masses against some decisions taken by the Takht and the SGPC Sikh, adding that there were no interruptions during his speech.

It is time Shiromani Akali Dal headed by Parkash Singh Badal take corrective measures by replacing the current Jathedars of five Takhts to gain back the trust of the community in the highest Sikh institutions, he said.