Dera row: SGPC panel zeroes in on 22 leaders

Amritsar, As many as 22 Sikh leaders, who violated the Akal Takht “hukamnama” (edict) by seeking support of the Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda head before the Assembly elections, are on the SGPC panel’s radar.
On February 6, abiding by the directions of Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, the apex body had constituted a three-member probe committee comprising SGPC senior vice-president Baldev Singh Kaimpur, general secretary Amarjit Singh Chawla and executive committee member Gurcharan Singh Garewal. The committee is expected to submit its report tomorrow.
Insiders say the SGPC’s probe committee has gathered enough proof to establish the guilt of the Sikh leaders, but “action” has been put on the back burner to avoid any adverse impact on the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Managing Committee (DSGMC) elections, scheduled to be held on February 26.
Among other Sikh organisations, the SAD-backed DSGMC too had submitted a complaint with the Akal Takht, seeking stern action as per the Panthic maryada against the “erring” leaders.
“We have gathered news clippings, photos and videos of the Sirsa dera’s event which was attended by Sikh leaders of various parties. We have identified 22 of them. It was unanimously decided that before reaching any conclusion, they should also be given a chance to submit their version, though it is a time-consuming process to meet each one of them,” said Chawla.
A week ahead of the polls, politicians made a beeline for the dera headquarters and met sect chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, who was held guilty of impersonating Guru Gobind Singh in 2007.
Taking cognisance of it, the Akal Takht had pronounced ‘hukamnama’ to the Sikh community not to have any kind of social or political relations with him.
Some leaders had also announced to facilitate the revival of the dera’s religious congregation.
As per reports, those who visited the Dera Sacha Sauda included Punjab Cabinet Minister Sikander Singh Maluka. Pictures have also surfaced of Akali leaders, Parminder Dhindsa, Cabinet Minister Surjit Rakhra, Kewal Dhillon, Janmeja Singh Sekhon and Jeetmohinder Singh.
Other names included Congress leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, MLA Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and Malkeet Singh and Narinder Singh Sandha, both from AAP.