SGPC rejects ‘Sarbat Khalsa’ decisions

“It’s ironic that the norms, traditions and sovereignty of Akal Takht have been undermined, compromised and destroyed by those who are mandated to safeguard it”, Kanwar Pal Singh, spokesperson of the Dal Khalsa was quoted as saying in the media at the time.

“These incidents have shaken every Sikh and (the community is) passing through severe mental agony, ” said Singh, whom mini-Sikh parliament, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), has appointed. India will also ask Britain to take strong action against these groups trying to revive the demand for Khalistan, backed by Pakistan’s ISI. The goal of the organisation is creation of Khalistan and responsibility has been given to its leadership to propagate the Khalistan ideology among the Sikh masses.

Amritsar Commissioner of Police Jatinder Singh Aulakh said Both Radical Sikh leaders had been taken into “preventive custody”. they had announced to make an address at Akal Takht today and there was a “threat to law and order situation and likely violence”.

The arrests were made following an attempt by a few leaders appointed Takht “jathedars” at November 10 congregation to enter the Golden Temple.

Of course the resentment building up against the ruling Badal clan, who have complete control over the Sikh politics as well religious institutions, also played a pivotal role in the building up of the unrest.

Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann, United Akali Dal chief Mohkam Singh, Dhiyan Singh Mand, Bhai Amrik Singh Ajnala and Baljit Singh Daduwal, Jaskarn Singh Kahan, Surinder Singh Thikriwala, Jora Singh Maloke, Resham Singh, Surjit Singh, Paramjit Singh, Gurtej, Harinder Singh, Balwinder Singh, Vadhawa Singh, Satnam Singh Manava and Sikander Singh have been booked under 124 A, 153 (A) and 66/6.

The police exercised restraint and kept a close watch on the movement of Mand and his supporters. The RSS, Shiv Sena, according to Congress leaders, issued advertisements asking the people not to attend the Sarbat Khalsa.

The Sikh clerics led by Akal Takht head Gurbachan Singh have been in the eye of storm after their pardon to the Dera head.

The Sikh community of Banbury, have had a “Black Diwali” to mark the recent continuing deliberate acts of desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the holy Sikh scriptures which to Sikhs is the embodiment of their living Guru.

Many outfits, including Sant Samaj, Dal Khalsa, Akhand Kirtni Jatha, Akali Dal Panch Pardani and a few Sikh preachers had participated in the congregation. He said the appointment of jathdars and other resolutions passed in the “so-called Sarbat Khalsa” had been nullified officially by the SGPC’s executive body.

“The gathering was the direct outcome of the conspiracy and complicity of the anti-Panthic Congress party whose leaders gleefully clapped their hands”.