Dera row: Former Takht Jathedar repents before sacked Panj Piaras

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, September 12

Former acting Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib Giani Gurmukh Singh, who was among the five high priests who had exonerated Dera Sacha Sauda head (and later revoked their decision) in 2015, today submitted a clarification before the Akal Takht’s sacked Panj Piaras.

The Panj Piaras — Satnam Singh Kanda, Major Singh, Satnam Singh, Tarlok Singh and Mangal Singh — were dismissed by the SGPC for allegedly overstepping their jurisdiction by ordering the removal of the Takht heads over the dera pardon flip-flop.

Giani Gurmukh Singh, at present the head priest of a gurdwara in Haryana, appeared before the Panj Piaras at Gurdwara Sangat Sahib, Moga. Kanda, who was not present, was represented by Sukhwinder Singh.

“Giani Gurmukh Singh has submitted his repentance in writing. He has stated that a blunder was committed under political influence in 2015,” said Major Singh.

Giani Gurmukh Singh had boycotted the clergy’s April 17 meeting on pronouncing religious punishment on Sikh leaders who had wooed dera followers in the run-up to this year’s Assembly elections.

He was removed as acting Jathedar by the SGPC on April 21 for allegedly violating the ‘maryada’ and issuing controversial statements.