Parallel ‘jathedars’ announce ‘action’ against Maluka and two SGPC members

Parallel “jathedars” of Sikh temporal seats appointed by radical Sikh groups declared on Thursday that they have “excommunicated” Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) minister Sikander Singh Maluka, two members of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and Neeldhari sect chief Satnam Singh Pipli Wale.

Maluka and SGPC members Major Singh and Satnam Singh Bhai Rupa were earlier asked by the “jathedars” to appear before them at the Akal Takht, Sikhism’s highest seat, on January 24 for alleged distortion of ardas (prayer) at Rampura Phul in Bathinda. However, they did not do that.

On Thursday, the “jathedars” — Dhian Singh Mand (Akal Takht), Amrik Singh Ajnala (Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib) and Baljit Singh Daduwal (Takht Sri Damdama Sahib) — conducted a meeting at the Akal Takht to announce their “action”. They “excommunicated” Satnam Singh for “distorting Sikh history”. They also stated that action would be taken against those who approached Dera Sacha Sauda for votes in the assembly elections.

Muluka was already declared ‘tankhaiya’ (guilty of religious misconduct) by Akal Takht jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh for the Rampura Phul incident, and he had also completed the punishment. However, the parallel “jathedars” rejected the decision.