Despite Takht edict, SGPC member visits dera

Muktsar, Punjab: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) member Navtej Singh Kauni and some Akali leaders yesterday attended “naam charcha” organised by Dera Sacha Sauda at Bhullar village in the Gidderbaha assembly segment, flouting the Akal Takht edict in this regard.

There has been a tussle between a section of Sikhs and dera followers since 2007 when dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh made a public appearance donned in an attire similar to that of the Tenth Sikh Guru.

In 2011, the Sikh high priests had awarded “tankhah” (punishment for religious misconduct) to Kauni for attending a dera event at Doda village.

Kauni has secured the SAD ticket for Dera Sacha Sauda’s core committee member Lal Singh for the zila parishad elections from the Kauni zone in Muktsar district.

Talking over the phone, he said: “The dera followers had invited me. Since it is election time, some Akali leaders accompanied me.”

On the ticket secured for a dera follower, Kauni said: “Lal Singh is a SAD worker and there is nothing wrong in giving him the party ticket.” Some Congress leaders had also attended the dera function in Gidderbaha, he pointed out.

Source: The Tribune