Panthic divide: Dal Khalsa urges SGPC to resolve issues of warring factions

AMRITSAR : Expressing serious concern over lingering animosity between Damdami Taksal and Sikh preacher Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale, radical Sikh group Dal Khalsa on Sunday urged Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Kirpal Singh Badungar to “break his silence and work to bring both the warring factions on table to resolve their differences”.

Meanwhile, a day before the issue is to be discussed at a meeting of the Sikh clergy on Monday, Dal Khalsa general secretary Paramjit Singh Tanda said better sense has prevailed as Dhadrianwale has voluntarily cancelled the proposed ‘gurmat samagam’ to avoid any untoward clash.

The Dal Khasla leader also advised Dhadrianwale not to speak in anger against his ideological opponents during his religious discourses. “For us, neither of them are anti-panthic. However, we are upset over the venom their followers spew against each other on social media, which is adversely affecting the youth,” he said.

During a meeting held at party office here, the Sikh hardline leader urged the Akal Takht jathedar to end uncertainty over the Sikh calendar by implementing the original version of 2003.

The meeting observed that the challenges before the community are multi-dimensional. “To resolve maryada differences, there is a need to come out of parochial mindset, build a cordial environment for mutual understanding and for that matter, the SGPC should take the initiative,” said Paramjit Singh Mand, head of Dal Khalsa’s youth wing, Sikh Youth of Punjab.