Sond seeks week's time from Takht for appearance over painting row 

Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond has sought one more week to appear in person at the Akal Takht to give his clarification over a painting showing Guru Gobind Singh wearing shoes while administering Amrit Sanchar to Bhai Jaita Ji at a memorial in Anandpur Sahib.

Sources said the minister, through a communiqué filed by his personal secretary, sought time as he was occupied in the religious programmes being organised to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur. The deadline for the minister to appear in person at the Akal Takht ended today.

On November 18, Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Kuldip Singh Gargaj directed the minister to give his clarification on the matter by appearing in person. The director of the department was also asked to send a written clarification. This development came a week after the SGPC had objected to the painting and sought the intervention of the apex temporal seat of the Sikhs.