9 yrs on, Akal Takht asks ex-Jathedars to explain flip-flop on pardon to dera head

The Akal Takht has, for the first time, asked the 2015 panel of Jathedars — Giani Gurbachan Singh (Akal Takht), Giani Gurmukh Singh (Takht Damdama Sahib) and Giani Iqbal Singh (Takht Patna Sahib) — to explain the circumstances under which the flip-flop on exoneration of controversial Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh for the 2007 blasphemous act took place.

In an unprecedented move, the then Panj Pyaras (five beloved ones of Akal Takht) had summoned the Jathedars at the Akal Takht on October 23, 2015, to clarify their position over granting a pardon to the Dera head in the blasphemy case. However, they (Panj Pyaras) were suspended and ultimately dismissed for ‘violating the service rules’ by the SGPC, which was headed by Avtar Singh Makkar then.

After nine years, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh has sought written ‘clarification’ from the 2015 Takht Jathedars. However, they were not summoned to appear in person at the Akal Takht.

One of the dismissed ‘Panj Pyaras’ Satnam Singh Khanda said, “At last, after nine years, the Jathedars are being put under scanner for the first time. It was a wise decision to delve deep into the unfortunate episode of pardoning the Dera head. We hope that the truth will prevail and the Jathedars will reveal the situation and the ‘political’ pressure under which the pardon was granted, leading to Panthic turmoil,” he said.

Giani Raghbir Singh has directed former Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal, who has already been declared ‘tankhaiya’, along with 17 other former Sikh minister and SAD core committee members, to appear at the Akal Takht on December 2 when the five high priests would take a call on their role in taking contentious decisions during the party’s tenure from 2007 to 2017.

In 2007, the Dera Sacha Sauda chief was accused of wearing an attire identical to the one worn by the tenth Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh, during a religious congregation of the sect at its headquarters in Sirsa, Haryana. This had led to violent clashes that had broken out between Dera followers and Sikhs in parts of Punjab. In addition, a series of incidents of sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib took place in parts of Punjab followed by two Sikh protesters being killed in police firing, stoking the Sikh anger against the then ruling SAD.

In response to the apology letter by the Dera Sirsa head, on September 24, 2015, the then five high priests — Giani Gurbachan Singh (Akal Takht); Giani Mal Singh (Takht Kesgarh Sahib); Giani Gurmukh Singh (Takht Damdama Sahib); Giani Iqbal Singh (Takht Patna Sahib); and Granthi Ram Singh (Takht Hazoor Sahib in Nanded, Maharashtra) — had exonerated him. On October 16, 2015, following strong resentment among the Sikh community, they had withdrawn the ‘pardon’.

Giani Gurbachan Singh had, on October 19, 2018, stepped down from his post, ‘citing health issues’ and also apologised to the Panth for granting pardon to the Dera head. In his resignation letter, he wrote, “The decision on dera chief drew objections, but respecting the sentiments of the Panth, the decision was revoked.”