Mand is a dictator, Daduwal on lifting Bargari sit-in

AMRITSAR/FARIDKOT: Rift between Sarbat Khalsa-designated parallel jathedars of the Akal Takht and Takht Damdama Sahib — Dhian Singh Mand and Baljit Singh Daduwal — over lifting the six-month-long sit-in at Faridkot’s Bargari came to the fore on Tuesday when Daduwal called the former a dictator.

When Mand on Tuesday visited the Golden Temple to “offer thanks for the success of the sit-in” and seek blessings for the next course of action, Daduwal, who remained by his side throughout the sit-in demanding punishment for culprits of sacrilege and police firing, was nowhere to be seen.

“He (Daduwal) was to address a congregation today. So, he was not able to come with us,” claimed Mand, when asked as why Daduwal was not there.

Nearly an hour after he left, Daduwal turned up at the Golden Temple complex. “I am not happy with him (Mand) as he lifted the sit-in in haste without consulting the sangat. He acted as dictator during the morcha,” Daduwal told HT.

“The sit-in achieved many things but he should have taken the sangat into confidence before announcing the decision to lift it. I am not sure if both of us will go along in future,” he added.

Amrik Singh Ajnala, who was also appointed parallel jathedar of Takht Kesgarh Sahib during the Sarbat Khalsa in 2015, has already parted ways.

“This morcha was also befitting reply to those who used to accuse us of creating a communal rift as it remained peaceful. Even Hindus and Muslims also participated,” Mand said.

Dal khalsa leader Kanwarpal Singh said, “Our support was for the Bargari sit-in. Since Mand lifted the agitation, we are free to pursue our independent path.”