Jathedar Gurbachan Singh delivers address amidst slogans, black flags

AMRITSAR: There were tense moments at the Golden Temple complex on Wednesday evening when a group of youth brandishing swords started raising slogans just as Akal Takht Jathedar Gurbachan Singh started delivering the customary address to the Sikh community

Updated At : 07:11 AM Nov 13, 2015 IST

Jathedar Gurbachan Singh. Tribune file photo

G.S.PAUL

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, November 11

There were tense moments at the Golden Temple complex on Wednesday evening when a group of youth brandishing swords started raising slogans just as Akal Takht Jathedar Gurbachan Singh started delivering the customary address to the Sikh community.

The commotion caused several devotees and tourists to leave the complex in a panic. However, the situation was brought under control by the SGPC Task Force and the policemen present there in plain clothes.

Ignoring ‘directions’ of the ‘Panj Pyaras’ to the SGPC to prevent the address, the committee arranged for Akal Takht Jathedar Gurbachan Singh to deliver the customary public address on Bandi Chhor Divas, which coincides with Diwali, from the Darshani Deodi in the Golden Temple complex.

As the Jathedar started to speak, Sikh hardliners present in the crowd disrupted the speech by raising slogans against him and lodged their protest by showing him black flags. They asked him to quit from the position of Jathedar.

There was fear of a confrontation as a group of youth, also present among the audience, raised counter-slogans, apparently in an attempt to oust those opposing the Jathedar.

The situation was defused after the SGPC Task Force and the police intervened and forced the out of complex.

Dal Khalsa and Panch Pardhani leaders were the first to announce that they would not let Giani Gurbachan Singh to deliver the address, alleging he had lost the Sikh community’s faith by pronouncing the pardon for the Dera Sacha Sauda head.

Traditionally, the Jathedar addresses the public around 6 pm, but today the programme was advanced to 3.30 pm, apparently to dodge those who opposed to him.

Dal Khalsa spokesperson Kanwar Pal Singh Bittu said it was the SGPC’s move to avoid resistance.

“Our motto was not to let Giani Gurbachan Singh speak from the On November 9, the Panj Pyaras of the Golden Temple, who were shifted to Dharam Parchar panel, today directed the SGPC to prevent Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh from delivering the customary message from Golden Temple on Bandi Chhor Divas (Diwali).