Virsa Singh Valtoha shares former Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal’s ‘letter of remorse’ to Akal Takht Jathedar

GS Paul

Amritsar, July 28

After the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal submitted his ‘clarification’ in writing with Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh in response to the confession of ‘mistakes’ by a group of Akali leaders, an old emotional letter dated October 17, 2015, by former CM Parkash Singh Badal to then Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh has surfaced on social media.

The letter gains significance now, as insiders say that a copy of this letter was also reportedly made part of the explanation submitted by Sukhbir in sealed envelope.

Meanwhile, the Jathedar had already declared that Sukhbir’s letter would be opened only in the presence of five high priests who would assemble shortly at Akal Takht to take decision.

A series of sacrilege incidents happened from June 1 to October 14, 2015, during the SAD regime headed by Parkash Singh Badal. These incidents were linked with the controversial Dera Sacha Sauda in Sirsa, whose head was pardoned by Akal Takht for 2007 blasphemous act on September 24, 2015. In view of the growing resentment among the Sikh community, this ‘hukumnama’ (edict) was withdrawn by the Sikh clergy at an emergency meeting held at Akal Takht on October 16, 2015.

The very next day, Parkash Singh Badal offered prayers at the Golden Temple and met the Akal Takht Jathedar and handed him over a letter written in Punjabi.

His letter reads: “What has happened over the past few days has shaken my conscience. It has caused immense pain to the Sikh community…. A sense of repentance grows inside and I am experiencing that with pain and anguish. With such feelings in my heart, I humbly bow before my Guru and pray that Waheguru grants strength and grace to endure all this.”

SAD’s chief spokesperson Virsa Singh Valtoha, who shared this letter on his social media handle, said: “Badal sahib felt a sense of remorse over the unpleasant events that occurred in 2015 while he was the CM. I am witness to this letter that was submitted to the then Akal Takht Jathedar,” he said.