All CKD members must be baptised by Sept 1: Gargaj

Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargaj has directed all members of the Chief Khalsa Diwan (CKD) that they must be Amritdhari (baptised) Sikhs by September 1.

This, he directed, after 20 executive members, led by Chief Khalsa Diwan (CKD) president Inderbir Singh Nijjar appeared before the Jathedar on Tuesday morning. He warned that those who do not comply with the instructions by September 1, their membership will be terminated.

He asked them to desist from dying or curling their beards in violation of the Sikh tenets. Members who did not attend today’s meeting have been ordered to appear at the Akal Takht secretariat on August 1 to give an explanation.

In order to administer the Amrit Sanchar (Sikh initiation ceremony), the Akal Takht will despatch Panj Piaras to guide them.

The Jathedar categorically stated that the constitutional requirement for the CKD members to be Amritdhari cannot be repealed under any circumstance.

Earlier two days ago, the CKD held a programme on the occasion of Gurpurb of the Sikh master, Guru Harkrishan, at its school following the instructions of the Akal Takht secretariat in-charge.

He also directed the CKD to establish schools in Punjab’s border belt. These schools must be focused on promoting Sikh values and offering concessions to children from Sikh families to repulse the efforts of religious conversion.

Amritsar