Many Sikh preachers not to attend Sarbat Khalsa
The Sikh preachers who originally led a series of protests against the sacrilege in Faridkot district on October 12 are unlikely to be part of Tuesday’s ‘Sarbat Khalsa’.
The Sikh preachers who originally led a series of protests against the sacrilege in Faridkot district on October 12 are unlikely to be part of Tuesday’s ‘Sarbat Khalsa’.
Panthpreet Singh of the Gurmat Sewa Lehar and his associates Sarabjit Singh Dhunda and Rajinder Singh Manjhi are unlikely to attend the event in Amritsar district.
Organisers, led by members of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), confirmed that they have not been able to get in touch with Panthpreet. They, however, managed to talk to Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale, the other preacher leader, and they were hoping to see him at the congregation.
Former jathedars of Takht Damdama Sahib Giani Kewal Singh and Balwant Singh Nandgarh have also not confirmed their presence at the congregation.
Baba Baljit Singh Daduwal of the Panthic Sewa Lehar and All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) president Karnail Singh Peer Mohammad, who were among the organisers, are now expected to remain seated among the “sangat”.
SAD (1920) chief Ravi Inder Singh, who supported the ‘Sarbat Khalsa’, is also unlikely to share the stage with leaders of the SAD (A) and United Akali Dal (UAD), the two main organisers of the congregation.
TAKSAL DIVIDED
The Damdami Taksal was once led by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. Harnam Singh Dhumma was installed as head in 2004. However, it led to the division of the taksal into three groups, with Dhuma heading Damdami Taksal (Mehta), Baba Ram Singh heading the Sangrawan breakaway group and Amrik Singh, the Ajnala faction. Both breakaway groups have announced support to ‘Sarbat Khalsa’, while Dhumma has opposed it.
SANT SAMAJ OPPOSED
Besides Dhumma, Jasbir Singh Rode, a former jathedar of the Akal Takht, is part of the Sant Samaj. Sant Samaj leader Sewa Singh Rampur Kherawale is expected to attend the event.
DAL KHALSA ADAMANT
Once a militant organisation, the Dal Khalsa recently joined hands with SAD (Panch Pardhani). Both are opposed to the event on the grounds that it should not be called ‘Sarbat Khalsa’. Their leaders have announced that they would attend the event only as “sangat”.