Search the Community

http://www.tribuneindia.com/mobi/news/punjab/politics/akali-dera-pact-irks-sikh-leaders/358793.html Arun Sharma Tribune News Service Ropar, February 2 The support of Dera Sacha Sauda to the SAD-BJP alliance followed by several SAD leaders’ decision to facilitate ‘satsangs’ of controversial dera head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in the state seems to have boomeranged for the government. People across party lines, including those in the ruling party and various religious leaders, have condemned it and said that Sikhs were feeling hurt and Akal Takht must summon SAD leaders involved in the move. Akal Takht had issued a ‘hukamnama’ to boycott the dera head for wearing clothes like Guru Gobind Singh nine years ago in May 2007. Still, many SAD leaders had shared the stage with dera followers and appreciated dera head, welcoming his decision to support the SAD-BJP alliance at Bathinda yesterday. Former Takht Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh alleged that to save his chair, Badal was using religion and playing with the sentiments of the Sikh community. He alleged that through the SGPC, Badal was exploiting all Sikh religious institutes for his political gains. Another former Takht Jathedar Bhai Kewal Singh alleged that SAD leaders had violated ‘hukamnama’ of Akal Takht. He alleged that the SAD was in control of the SGPC and through it, the party was managing Akal Takht too. “Such actions of SAD leaders would further vitiate the atmosphere in state,” he said. SAD vice president Karnail Singh Panjoli, YAD leader Gurvinder Singh Doomchheri and SGPC member Principal Surinder Singh too criticised the move by party’s leaders in Malwa. Panjoli has written to Akal Takht, seeking its intervention in the matter. SGPC member Surinder Singh said SAD leaders welcoming the support by dera had committed a sin. SAD general secretary and party spokesman Prem Singh Chandumajra said in a democratic set-up, all are free to vote in favour of candidates of their choice.