Akal Takhat annuls its edict for pardoning Dera Sacha Sauda Chief Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh

AMRITSAR: Bowing before the pressure and severe resentment among Sikh community, including Sikh hardliners, religious and political outfits, Akal Takhat (highest Sikh Temporal Seat) here today annulled its edict to pardon Sirsa based Dera Sacha Sauda Sect Chief Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh. In a special called meeting at the Akal Takhat by Sikh clergy headed by Jathedar Akal Takhat Gyani Gurbachan Singh here today annulled its earlier edict issued on September 24 whereupon Sirsa based Dera Sacha Sauda Sect Chief Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh was pardoned.It was alleged that Akal Takhat had earlier exonerated Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh under pressure from SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal who wanted to win over dera head to get his support in 2017 assembly elections. Dera has lakhs of devotees in Malwa region of Punjab from where Badal family belonged.Sikh clergy after a marathon meeting held today at the secretariat of Akal Takhat led by Gyani Gurbachan Singh apprised media that the Gurumata (edict) issued from Akal Takhat issued last month on September 24 for pardoning the Dera Sacha Sauda Sect Chief annulled since edict was not acceptable to Sikh community by and large.Keeping in view the sentiments of the Sikh Community and its ethics, Sikh clergy today deiced to annul its earlier edict since Dera Sacha Sauda Sect Chief is not a real saint and his apology was not acceptable to Akal Takhat as well as not even acceptable to Sikh community across the world, said Gyani Gurbachan Singh in a written statement to media.