Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar denies charges

Amritsar: The officiating Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Giani Gurmukh Singh, has denied the allegations of receiving kickbacks for pardoning Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. He said he was ready to clear his name before the five high priests at Akal Takht. Without naming anyone, he said that he was being made a scapegoat. When Sikh clergy pardoned the dera head on September 24, there were reports that Gurmukh Singh tendered his resignation as he was against the decision. Sources said Gurmukh Singh was persuaded not to resign keeping in view the negative political repercussions for SAD (Badal).
Cong creating discord in community, says Makkar
On Sikh outfits’ move to hold Sarbat Khalsa, SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar appealed to the Sikh Panth to distance themselves from anyone aligning with the Congress to create discord in the community. The outfits have been protesting the pardon granted to Sirsa dera head Gurmeet Ram Rahim in a blasphemy incident. Makkar reiterated that the five Sikh high priests had followed the teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib by forgiving the wrongdoing of Sirsa dera chief on his written request for forgiveness.He said that only Akal Takht Jathedar had the authority to call a meeting of the Sarbat Khalsa. Makkar said they should not let the Congress hatch this conspiracy. “It is clear that the Congress is in league with anti-Panthic forces to denigrate the status of the Singh Sahibans,” he said.
He said it was unfortunate that certain Sikh leaders had been influenced by conspirators who wanted to cause divisions in the Panth. He said all such leaders should ask themselves if they really wanted to go against the Akal Takth at the instance of anti-Panthic forces.