Language Dept Director files 8-page reply to Akal Takht over dance gig

Language Department Director Jaswant Singh Zafar has filed an eight-page reply to the Akal Takht, which had summoned him over the incident involving a dance gig at a J&K event held to commemorate the 350th martyrdom day of Guru Teg Bahadur.

The programme was held in Srinagar on July 24, following which the temporal seat had summoned him and Education Minister Harjot Bains.

While Bains was told to undergo a religious punishment after he appeared before five high Sikh priests on August 6 for an explanation, the officer is yet to depose before the Takht as he was abroad.

Zafar told The Tribune that filed his reply on August 14 and awaiting response from the Akal Takht secretariat.

He refused to give details of the response furnished by him and assured that he would make it public after appearing before the Sikh clergy.

Meanwhile, sources in the Takht secretariat said the decision over summoning Zafar was yet to be taken as officiating Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gargaj was in Assam to take part in a religious procession organised to commemorate the Guru’s martyrdom.