Former president of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee could face religious action

Amritsar, Punjab: Former president of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) Paramjit Singh Sarna could face religious action amounting to excommunication from Sikh Panth for allegedly creating hurdles in the construction of memorial to 1984 Sikh genocide in Gurdwara Rakabganj Sahib complex in Delhi.

The Sikh clergy has summoned Sarna to appear before them at Akal Takht secretariat on July 26th to submit his clarification over creating obstacles by way of filing a writ petition in Delhi High Court seeking to stop the construction of the memorial on the plea that construction of a memorial inside Gurdwara precincts was against the tenets of Sikhism.

While talking to TOI, Jathedar of Akal Takht Giani Gubachan Singh said, “We have summoned Sarna to appear before us and submit his clarification.” Asked whether he could face excommunication or strict religious action, Jathedar said “The Sikh high priests have also convened a meeting on July 26th, if they were not satisfied with the clarification submitted by Sarna, then a due religious course would be adopted “.

Earlier on June 15th, Akal Takht secretariat had ‘summoned’ Sarna over phone to appear before Sikh clerics on June 17th . The process then adopted for summoning a person at Akal Takht had come under flak. According to traditions Akal Takht first send a Dosh Patra (letter describing allegations leveled on a Sikh) and seeks written clarification and if not satisfied written summons were issued for appearing before Sikh clergy. Sarna had then expressed his inability to appear due to his personal and professional commitments.

Present incumbent of top seat of DSGMC Manjit Singh GK said “I am hopeful that Sikh clerics would take appropriate religious action as par Maryada”. He alleged that Sarna had always defied the edicts of Akal Takht to appease Congress party.

While claiming that he had not violated Maryada (Sikh code of conduct) Sarna said the Sikh clerics didn’t have any evidence against him to prove that he had created obstacles in a religious work which could make them to excommiunicate him or pronounce any other hard religious atonement upon him. “I have prepared my clarification well in advance and will come fully equipped to answer all queries of Sikh high priests on July 26th.”

Source: TOI