Akal Takht jathedar invited to bhoomi pujan in Ayodhya
AMRITSAR: The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust on Monday invited Giani Harpreet Singh, the acting jathedar of the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs, to the bhoomi pujan ceremony being organised in Ayodhya on August 5 for the construction of the Ram Temple.
Rashtriya Sikh Sangat, the Sikh wing of pro-hindutva organisation, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), delivered the invitation to the Takht secretariat. The jathedar’s assistants received it from Sanjeev Singh, general secretary of the wing, and his colleagues.
The trust plans to ensure the presence of jathedars of all five Sikh Takhts at the event. The invitation carries the name of Champat Rai, general secretary of the trust, and requests the jathedar to reach Ayodhya on August 4 evening.
Sanjeev said, “The jathedar is among select personalities from Punjab, who have been invited. We are also organising an Akhand Path of the Guru Granth Sahib at a gurdwara in Ayodhya to offer thanks for the construction of the temple. Its bhog ceremony is on August 7. We want the jathedar sahib to be present on the occasion and
SOURCES SAID THE JATHEDAR WOULD NOT ATTEND THE EVENT IN WHICH PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI WILL BE PRESENT
address the sangat.
”“This temple is a big symbol of Hindu-sikh unity. We are also taking the holy water of five sarovars (holy tanks of gurdwaras) to Ayodhya for the event,” he added.
The jathedar, who is known for his anti-rss stance, has refused comment. Sources, however, said he would not attend the event in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be present.