SAD, BJP, Cong to blame for sacrilege injustice, resolves Panthic assembly
The Panthic Assembly, which held its third meeting on Saturday, resolved to form a panel of prominent Sikh lawyers to ensure action those responsible for the Bargari sacrilege of 2015. In the virtual meeting, the assembly accused the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), the BJP and ruling Congress party in the state of perpetrating injustice on the Sikh community and toying with the sentiments of the Sikhs.
Former Takht Damdama Sahib jathedar Giani Kewal Singh-led Panthic Talmel Sangathan, a coordination committee of Sikh groups, took the initiative to organise the assembly. Sikh scholars, academicians, lawyer and prominent leaders from the community addressed the assembly.
“When the sacrilege took place, the then Sad-led government in Punjab showed tardiness in stopping these acts and punishing the culprits who allegedly belong to a group, in order to retain its vote bank. This party tried to cover up this matter. Some other Sikh groups also used the sacrilege incidents to find space in politics,” its resolution says.
“The Congress came to power using resentment among the Sikhs over these sacrilege incidents and it promised to punish the culprits. This ruling party has been playing politics for the last four years...it has mocked Sikh sentiment. The Panthic Assembly appeals to Sikh masses to boycott political parties, which play with sacrilege,” it read, adding, “To take action against those who are playing with the sentiments of the Sikhs, a panel of Sikh lawyers will be formed. The SIT probing the case will be given evidence.”
“Revival of sovereign and independent status of the Akal Takht is the need of the hour; the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) also needs this status. A committee comprising SGPC member Sukhdev Singh Bhaur; former member advocate Jaswinder Singh; Harbans Singh Kalra; Rana Inderjit Singh; Khushhal Singh; Balwinder Singh Jaurasingha and Rachhpal Singh has been formed to list measures to restore the lost glory of both the institutions,” said another resolution.