Akal Takht Prevents Dsgmc From Holding Public Gathering

[BhaiSukhSingh]

Amritsar, Jul 17 (PTI) Akal Takht Jathedar Gurbachan Singh today directed DSGMC president Parmjit Singh Sarna not to hold any public gathering on July 19 at Ludhiana on the issue of disrespect shown to Guru Granth Sahib in Italy. The Jathedar said it was brought to his notice that the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee was going to organise a public gathering at Ludhiana on the issue of "disrespect" shown to the holy Sikh scripture. Such sensitive issues could create unrest among Sikhs and should not be discussed publicly, he told mediapersons here. The issue would be discussed thoroughly at Akal Takht, the hightest temporal seat of the Sikhs, on July 22, the head priest said. Recently, Italy-based Harvans Singh Dadhowal requested the SGPC to send 250 copies of Guru Granth Sahib to him. The SGPC sent 400 copies and two of its officials also went to Italy. On reaching Italy, they handed over 250 copies of Guru Granth Sahib to Dadhowal and retained 150 with themselves. Dadhowal, in his complaint to Akal Takht, alleged the SGPC officials without adhering to Sikh tenets were carrying 150 copies of Guru Granth Sahib in Italy. He said this amounted to showing disrespect to the Guru Granth Sahib and the officials must be taken to task as per Sikh rituals.