M A I N   N E W S

Sarna brothers freed from boycott diktat
Rashmi Talwar

Amritsar, February 10
With ‘social boycott’ of Sarnas and three others withdrawn, hands of former and present president, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), Paramjit Sarna and his brother Harvinder Sarna, respectively, have been strengthened in Delhi gurdwara management.

Five Sikh high priests headed by Jathedar Akal Takht, Joginder Singh Vedanti and Giani Tarlochan Singh, Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib, Giani Balwant Singh Takht Damdama Sahib, Giani Iqbal Singh Takht Patna sahib, Gian Gurbachan Singh, head-Granthi, today withdraw the ‘boycott’ and stated that clarification submitted by Sarna brothers would be deliberated at the next meeting.

The Sarna brothers today appeared before five head priests here in view of interim directions issued to them by Jathedar, Akal Takht on February 01. However Mr Paramjit Singh Sarna addressing mediapersons soon after appearing at Akal Takht said they were ‘exonerated’ by head priests and this was a victory for them.

Meanwhile, the Sarnas demanded from Sikh high priests that those who had made false depositions against them including Mr Parkash Singh Badal his son Mr Sukhbir Badal, Mr Avtar Singh hit and Mr Prahlad Singh Chandok, be summoned to Akal Takht for an explanation.

In another decision the Sikh head priests held Baba Daljit Singh Chicago guilty of ‘religious misconduct’. Allegations had been made that Daljit was caught with a woman in a motel in America in a compromising position.

The Sikh head priests rejected the appeal made by 11 Sikh organisations for an open hearing of Sarna brothers, who arrived at 1 PM along with 28 members of the DSGMC and were supported by seven members of the SGPC from Haryana led by its president Mr Jagdish Singh Jhinda, lone former Member of Parliament Rajdev arrived form Sangrur, justice (retd) Ajit Singh Bains PHRO, the Dal Khalsa, the Khalra Mission Committee, Mian Mir Foundation etc.

In another decision the high priests directed the SGPC to invite all religious representatives at Akal Takht to deliberate on the ban on wearing of conspicuous religious symbols in schools of France.

Khalistan ideologue Jagjit Singh Chouhan also joined the DSGMC gathering. After reciting path the Sarna brothers appeared Takht at 2.10 PM and were welcomed by various panthic organisations soon after emerging from secretariat at 3.30 PM. They thanked all organizations which had supported them and assured support to them. Incidentally, the seven-members from Haryana were rallying to drum up support for a separate Haryana committee. They alleged that the SGPC meted out ‘step motherly’ treatment to them.

Former MP Rajdev Singh Khalsa denounced the edict issued against Sarnas.