Dhadis stopped from performing at Takht for criticising SGPC

AMRITSAR : Dhadis were allegedly stopped from performing at the Akal Takht in the Golden Temple complex for criticising the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).

Dhadis are traditional performers who sing ballads with a sarangi, a string instrument, and a dhad, a small drum. The tradition was started by sixth Sikh master Guru Hargobind Sahib at the Akal Takht.

The incident took place on Sunday but came to light after the dhadis shared a video in this regard on social media. The performance was being aired live on Facebook when the SGPC employees turned up and interrupted the same.

Soon after, the microphone of Jasvir Singh Mann, one of the dhadis who was addressing the devotees, was disconnected from the sound system, it is learnt.

In his 15-minutes address, Mann is seen criticising the SGPC. “The ragis, dhadis, kavishars and other Sikh preachers are considered backbone of the Panth. How many people came to help them during the lockdown when they were struggling to meet their both ends? No Sikh leader or organization, including the SGPC, came to their help,” he is heard saying.

Other dhadi groups have condemned the SGPC move.

Mahinder Singh Ahli, personal secretary to SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal, said, “I am not aware of the matter.”

MISSING SAROOPS: SGPC EXECUTIVE PANEL TO MEET TOMORROW

A day after Akal Takht ordered it to take action against the guilty in case of missing Guru Granth Sahib’s saroops as per the inquiry report, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Tuesday called its executive committee meeting on Thursday on a short notice of 48 hours.

The SGPC spokesperson Kulwinder Ramdas said the meeting will be held at Sri Guru Ram Das Medical College, Amritsar. The 1000-page report of the inquiry conducted by a panel led by Telangana High Court lawyer Ishar Singh on Takht’s direction was discussed by the Panj Singh Sahiban.