Punjab The Latest as it comes

Three-day ultimatum Nandgarh’s statement may echo at Sikh clergy meeting
Tribune News Service

Giani Balwant Singh Nandgarh, jathedar, Takht Damdama Sahib, has said he had given a call to assassinate the chief of Dera Sacha Sauda with a view to defusing the situation at the cremation of Kanwaljit Singh, who was killed in the firing at Sunam (Sangrur), since the agitated mourners were out to kill the “premis” (followers of Baba Gurmit Ram Rahim), apart from setting their properties on fire.
This issue is likely to dominate the proceedings of the two-day meeting of the Sikh clergy convened here at Akal Takht tomorrow after ending of the three-day ultimatum served on Central, Punjab and Haryana governments for taking stringent action against the dera.
Talking to The Tribune, jathedar Nandgarh, however, reiterated that he stood by his statement. He, however, said that he wanted to save the “common, misguided followers” of the dera. To a question, he said he won’t step down as jathedar, Damdama Sahib, since he had taken a “right decision” in accordance with the Sikh history.
Meanwhile, various Nihang sects today disapproved the call given by jathedar Nandgarh unless it was approved by the Sikh clergy at Akal Takht.
After holding a special meeting at Buraj Akali Phula Sahib, Baba Balbir Singh, chief of Akali Budha Dal, said the dera chief had hurt religious sentiments of Sikhs and the Central and state governments should take strict action against him.
Bishan Singh, president, Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, in a fax message to the SGPC has condemned the blasphemous acts of dera chief .