Takht to Sikhs: ‘Don’t bother with verdict; but be ready for defence’

AMRITSAR/BATHINDA: AsDeraSacha Saud a followers gather at several places and allegedly accumulate weapons in Punjab and Ha ryan a ahead of the August 25 court verdict in a rape case on the sect head, Sikh organisations have urged the community to stay out of the matter.

Hard liner Sikhs have a history of conflict with the der a, most violent ly over sect chief Gurmeet Ram Ra hi m’ s alleged dressing up as Guru Gobind Singh in 2007.

GianiGu rb ac han Singh,ja thedar( head) of the temporal seat Akal Takht, in Amritsar on Wednesday asked Sikhs to “be ready for the things that will prevail due to the verdict and ensure safety ”. He said thedera’s followers can“material is eanyun fortunate incident on the day of the verdict under bad intentions” and Sikhs should“make arrangements for self- defence ”. Sikhs should gather at gurdwaras to keep vigil, he added.

“The government knows about the possible situation and it is responsible for peace. As for the court’s proceedings against the dera chief, Sikhs should not bother; but be cautious,” he said, adding that der a followers should respect the court’s decision.

Hardliner outfit Dal Khalsa asked Sikhs to maintain distance from the issue. In Bathinda, its senior vice-president Hardeep Singh said, “Sikhs have nothing to do with the prevailing situation as the matter is between the governments and the der a .” He urged Sikhs not to get provoked.