Amritsar, September 7: Even after a lapse of two years, the SGPC is still to amend its records regarding controversial exoneration of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a blasphemy case.
On September 24, 2015, the then five high priests had issued a “gurmata” to pardon the dera chief for his alleged blasphemous act of wearing similar attire to that of Guru Gobind Singh in 2007. Five days later, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, held a house meeting headed by the then chief Avtar Singh Makkar to stamp the decision of the Akal Takht.The meeting was attended by at least 55 of the 180-odd SGPC members, but the consent of some members was reportedly taken on phone to “justify” the quorum of 75 members. A half-page resolution dated September 29, 2015, was put on record before it was read out by Makkar while terming the decision as a “historic” move. Though some members protested, the resolution was declared as “passed unanimously”.
The SGPC had spent around Rs 91 lakh of ‘golak’ money to release advertisements in support of this decision, which had invited the wrath of the community. After facing criticism from the community, the then Akal Takht Jathedar withdrew the pardon edict on October 16, 2015.Ironically, the SGPC overlooked it and could never scrap the earlier resolution till date. SGPC president Kirpal Singh Badungar said he would get the records examined. “Taking into account the sentiments of the Sikh community and Akal Takht’s maryada, it will be done on priority.”An SGPC member, Amrik Singh (Shahpur Goraya) from Dera Baba Nanak said, “It is a pity that in the SGPC’s records, the dera head stands pardoned. I have approached the SGPC president to call the general house only to withdraw the resolution and update the records, at least for the sake of Sikh sentiments,” he added.
News Source: http://www.tribuneindia.com
