Will exoneration on an apology from Dera Chief end acrimony between Sikhs and Sirsa Dera ?
Will exoneration on an apology from Dera Chief end acrimony between Sikhs and Sirsa Dera ?
In this high tech-era, arrange video-conferencing between Dera Chief and Akal Takht Jathedars to put an end to the controversy…..
The row between Sikhs and Dera Sacha Sauda (DSS) followers started in 2007 on issue of an edict for impersonating as Guru Gobind Singh.
Now with the exoneration of Dera Sacha Sauda Chief Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh on tendering an apology in writing and recording in CD – first time in the history of Akal Takht – a new issue has cropped up that Dera Chief should personally appear before Akal Takht in person and tender an apology in clear words for his blasphemous act and pledge not to repeat the same in future.
Dear Chief was already provided the highest possible security cover by the government but with his exoneration by the high priests of Akal Takht, the Jathedars – who have been used as puppet in the hands of political leaders and as pawn in the political game of chess – have gone under high security.
Increasing security of the high priests in the name of security and peace are just to divert the attention from the real issue by the Badals. These jathedars were earlier also provided the red beacons and later on withdrawn but continued to enjoy the police security like VIPs.
It looks that Jathedars now feel more threatened with the exoneration of Dera Sacha Sauda Chief. It would have been more graceful if these jathedars had quitted the office rather playing in the hands of political leaders.
After whole this drama, the setting up of a panel by jathedars is only a way to defuse anger as there is no utility of constituting the committee after issuing a clan chit to the head of a unorthodox cult for his disrespectful act.
Asking by the Dera Chief, Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh to the Sikhs to accept the judgement of Akal Takht – the supreme body of the Sikhs and at the same time consenting to visit Golden Temple, looks to be secret understanding between them. The visit to the Golden Temple is open to all irrespective of any caste or creed, high or low but the basic issue is of appearance of Dera Chief at Akal Takht in person.
Gone are the days when Shiromani Gurudawara Parbandhak Committee used to seek suggestions from various Sikh organizations but now it has become a game of vested interests of political leaders.
Frankly speaking, by accepting the high police security, these jathdars have lost their ethical authority rather tarnished the image of the highest ‘Sikh Institution’.
Tendering apology in writing and in recorded CD was sufficient enough to take decision by the jathedars and now further dragging it would definitely disturb the peace in the state. However, in this high tech era, the video conferencing should be arranged to end the controversy once for all with a view to maintain peace and harmony in the state.
