Parallel jathedars adamant on Diwali message; SGPC, cops on their toes

AMRITSAR: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and police are on toes as parallel “jathedar”, appointed at the radicals’ Sarbat Khalsa in 2015, remaining firm on reading out “sandesh” (message) to the Sikh community at Akal Takht on the Bandi Chhod Diwas (Diwali).

As Akal Takht jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh has strictly called on the SGPC and the Punjab government to rein in parallel “jathedars”, the situation may turn tense during the celebrations. Sources said parallel jathedar of the Akal Takht Dhian Singh Mand will try to reach the Golden Temple to read out his message parallel to that of Giani Gurbachan Singh, who is duly appointed as jathedar of the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs.

Mand was not available for comments but Baljit Singh Daduwal, who is parallel jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib, said: “The entire Sikh community has chosen Mand as the Akal Takht

jathedar. How can he skip the historical occasion? He will definitely reach the Akal Takht to give his message to the community.” maintain peace at the shrine.

On Sunday, the Akal Takht jathedar issued stern directions to the SGPC and the state government to stop parallel jathedars them from creating unrest in the Golden Temple complex.

He said the SGPC will be pulled up as the situation has reached an intolerable state because of its lenient attitude, encouraging the fake jathedars to hold their court outside the shrine. It is a violation of the authority of Akal Takht to pronounce ‘hukumnamas’ and ‘tankhah’ and order excommunication, he said.

If any untoward instance took place in or around the shrine in future, the SGPC and the government would be responsible, he had said.

The parallel “jathedars” have been attempting to read out their message ever since they were appointed by the radicals in 2015. On Diwali in 2015, Mand succeeded in reading out the message at the Akal Takht despite restrictions imposed by the police and the SGPC task force. However, the police foiled his similar bid last year.