HSGPC accuses Punjab CM Badal of misusing Akal Takht for political ends

Kurukshetra: Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhk Committee (HSGPC) on Friday accused Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal of misusing dictates of Akal Takht - the highest temporal seat of the Sikh religion, in connivance with its Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh for his "narrow political ends".

While talking to media persons here today, Didar Singh Nalvi, senior vice-president of HSGPC, said Akal Takht is the final authority to resolve political and religious issues concerning the Sikh community since its inception.

However, in the absence of any written rules and regulations, many times the Jathedar of Akal Takht "succumbs" to political pressure to take such decisions which were against the Sikh 'maryada' (code of conduct).

"Jathedar Gurbachan Singh's decision to pardon the Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim from blasphemy charges falls in this category, as it has been taken to meet the political ends of Akali Dal and Prakash Singh Badal, at the cost of 'Sikh maryada'," he alleged.

He said that since the first 'Sarbat Khalsa' (Assembly of Sikh community) in the year 1723, till date, no written constitution of the Akal Takht has been drafted. In the absence of this, no one knows what penalty one will face for any particular violation.

It is only at the discretion of Jathedar of Akal Takht what action he takes, Nalvi said.