Dance gig at Guru’s martyrdom day event: Bains, Language Dept head told to appear before Takht on Aug 1

The Akal Takht on Saturday summoned Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains and Language Department Director Jaswant Singh in connection with a dance gig at a Srinagar event held to commemorate the 350th martyrdom day of Guru Teg Bahadur.

Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj said they had been told to appear before five high Sikh priests on August 1 for an explanation as both were present in the controversial programme and the dance performance was held in front of them.

Following the direction, the minister tendered an apology in a social media post, saying as a Sikh Cabinet Minister, he accepted the mistake “committed knowingly or unknowingly” by the management of the event.

Bains said he would appear before the Akal Takht — the highest temporal seat for the Sikhs — as directed and would abide by its decision.

‘Decision on apology during Aug 1 hearing’

However, Gargaj said though the minister hasapologised, the summons still stand.

A decision on his apology, whether to accept it or reject it, would be taken on August 1, the Akal Takht Jathedar added.

The development has come two days after the dance performance by Sufi singer Bir Singh stoked a controversy.

Though the singer apologised to the Akal Takht on Friday and also met Gargaj to express remorse, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) sought a public apology from the Punjab Government.

Tussle over separate religious events

The event was held by the Language Department, which comes under the Education Department.

Earlier, a row had erupted after the SGPC and the AAP government sparred over the holding of separate religious events in the run-up to the Guru’s 350th martyrdom day in November.

After the AAP government recently made public its plan to commemorate the occasion through a series of events, SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami was quick to make his displeasure public.

Dhami accused the government of creating a “confrontational situation” by holding parallel religious events, only to be told by state Finance Minister Harpal Cheema that the Sikh body was “acting at the behest of the SAD”.

Dhami had contended that the government should limit itself to only providing logistical support to the Sikh body for holding religious programmes. Jathedar Gargaj had also supported the Dhami’s stance and asked the government not to “enter the domain of the Panthic body”.

On Saturday, Gargaj stressed that individuals holding constitutional positions had a greater responsibility towards society and the silence of such a sensitive matter raised serious concerns.

‘Incident unacceptable’

Commenting on the controversy, the Jathedar remarked, “It is for the first time in history that an event commemorating the martyrdom of a Sikh Guru was interspersed with songs, dance, and entertainment, which is entirely unacceptable.”

Giani Gargaj said the August 1 gathering would deliberate on Panthic and religious issues, and both Harjot Singh and Jaswant Singh must present their side before the five high Sikh priests.

He said singer Bir Singh had appeared before the Akal Takht on Friday and tendered an apology, which will also be reviewed during the deliberations.

Akal Takht secretariat in-charge Bagicha Singh said “official summons” have been issued to both the Cabinet Minister and the Director, instructing them to present their explanations at the upcoming session.