Akal Takht rejects Sarna’s proposal, terms it absurd

: Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh on Sunday rejected the proposal made by Shiromani Akali Dal (Delhi) president Paramjit Singh Sarna to declare Nankana Sahib as the sixth takht (Sikh temporal seat).

Sarna had on Friday presented this demand in front of a gathering at Nankana Sahib in Pakistan on the occasion of Gurpurb.

Sarna, also a former president of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), read out the resolution, while his brother Harwinder Singh Sarna claimed that the sangat endorsed the demand.

Terming Sarna’s demand meaningless, Giani Harpreet Singh said, “It goes against the Sikh maryada of Panch Pardhani (panel of five heads).”

“This resolution cannot be accepted by the Sikh community at any cost,” he added.

Various Sikh bodies, including the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), have also opposed the resolution.

“Sarna is trying to push the Sikh community towards a new controversy. He is creating a dilemma among Sikhs in a bid to gain fame. He should not play such tricks at the time when followers of Guru Nanak are making arrangements to celebrate his 550th birth anniversary across the world,” said SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal.

‘SARNA’S DEMAND MEANT TO CREATE RIFT’

“No individual has a right to change traditions of the Sikhs. There is no question on the status, respect, historical importance and greatness of Nankana Sahib in the Sikh community. But Sarna’s demand is meant for creating rifts in the community.