Sarbat Khalsa appoints Jagtar Singh Hawara Akal Takht Jathedar, three Sikh High Priests removed

AMRITSAR: The Sarbat Khalsa called by radical Sikh organisations here today unanimously removed three Sikh High Priests including Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh from their posts and appointed a Sikh militant leader Jagtar Singh Hawara new Jathedar of Akal Takht. The Babbar Khalsa leader, Hawara convicted to life term in Beant Singh assassination case is presently lodged in Tihar jail of Delhi. Since Jagtar Singh Hawara is lodged in Tihar jail, Dhian Singh Mand has been appointed acting Jathedar of Akal Takht. Sarbat Khalsa also appointed Sant Baljit Singh Daduwal as Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib and Amrik Singh Ajnala has been appointed Jathedar of Takht Kesgarh Sahib. The three Jathedars removed included Mal Singh, Gurmukh Singh & Iqbal Singh.The congregation also decided to withdraw the awards of Panth Rattan and Fakhar-e-quam from Parkash Singh Badal holding him responsible for stabbing Sikh community in the back and using Sikh institutions of Akal Takht and SGPC for his vested interests. Shiromani Sewa Award given to SGPC President Avtar Singh Makkar is also withdrawn. Through another resolution, the congregation demanded to immediately release the Sikhs detained in Punjab jails after completion of their sentence. The Sarbat Khalsa also declared former DGP KPS Gill and Kuldip Singh Brar a retired army General who headed Operation Blue star as Tankhaiya and ordered them to appear before Akal Takht on November 20. The organisers announced that next Sarbat Khalsa will be held on Baisakhi 2016.
The SAD and SGPC had opposed Sarbat Khalsa and appealed to Sikhs not to attend the controversial congregation.