Amritsar: The Akal Takht Jathedar kept a low profile at the bhog ceremony held to commemorate Satwant Singh and Kehar Singh, who were hanged to death on January 6, 1989, for the assassination of then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Takht chief Giani Gurbachan Singh was nor invited to address the congregation, neither asked to honour the kin of the 'martyrs'.
Sources said several Sikh bodies, whose representatives attended the bhog, had warned the SGPC against letting the Jathedar head the programme. The Akal Takht chief quietly left the venue, almost unnoticed. SAD (Amritsar) general secretary JS Sakhira and SGPC member Surjeet Singh said they had told the SGPC that they would revolt if the Jathedar was allowed to lead the programme. The five Takht heads have been scorned by the Sikh community for exonerating controversial Sirsa dera chief in a case of blasphemy.
Political interference in religious affairs should be discouraged: Panj Pyaras
Meanwhile, the sacked Panj Pyaras said political intervention in religious affairs should be discouraged. In a statement, the Panj Pyaras announced that they had no political association and would continue to perform their religious service of “Amrit Sanchar” (baptising Sikhs) independently under the aegis of the Akal Takht. They also viewed that the procedural matters related to the Akal Takht should be finalised through Sarbat Khalsa, in which participation of all strata of the Sikh community should be ensured. One of the Panj Pyaras Satnam Singh Khanda said they had got immense support from various Sikh bodies and individuals from all over the world.
