In a first, Akal Takht officiating Jathedar participates in SAD (A) event

With the message that “Akal Takht is a common platform of Sikh Panth which should be shared by all ‘splintered’ Akalis to unite”, the officiating Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj registered his presence at a programme organised by the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) to commemorate the party’s anniversary.

Formed on May 1, 1994, the SAD (Amritsar), led by former MP Simranjit Singh Mann, is a splintered group of the SAD.

Today, the party celebrated its foundation day by holding prayers at Gurdwara Baba Gurbaksh Singh Jee Shaheed located on the Akal Takht complex.

Giani Gargaj was invited on the occasion which he readily. Talking to The Tribune, Giani Gargaj said since 1994, when the SAD (Amritsar) came into being, it was probably the first time that the Akal Takht Jathedar had participated in the party’s programme.

“I accepted the invitation to deliver the message of unity among the Akalis. They should bury their differences and unite on one platform to redress the Panthic and Sikh political concerns. What best platform, other than the Akal Takht, could be there? The Sikh’s highest temporal seat is the epitome of Miri and Piri signifying spirituality and power. All disgruntled groups of Akalis should show unity in the interest of Panth,” he said.

Giani Gargaj had earlier given a call to the Parmeshwar Dwar chief Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale, Sikh personalities who were indicted by the Akal Takht earlier, to come and clarify their stance.

He had also invited all Sikh bodies including the Damdami Taksal, Nihang Singh jathebandis, SGPC, Sikh organisations, missionary colleges, institutions, and preachers to come on one podium to strengthen the campaign for preaching the Sikh

Sikh intellectuals invited today

A special meeting of Sikh organisations, institutions and Sikh intellectuals has been scheduled at the Akal Takht tomorrow to initiate steps against the films, animation and documentaries being made on Sikh Gurus, their family members, ancient Sikh warriors/martyrs and Sikh history “in a distorted manner”. Bagicha Singh, in charge of the Akal Takht Secretariat, said such films and animation were prohibited about which the Sikh community was worried. Therefore, the opinion of Sikh scholars would be sought according to which the next policy will be framed up”, he said. The meeting would be headed by Giani Gargaj.

Punjab