Amritsar: The proposed second Sarbat Khalsa (grand congregation of Sikhs), which was scheduled to be held by various Sikh groups on the occasion of Vaiskahi on April 13, has been postponed in the absence of Sarbat Khalsa appointed Acting Jathedar Bhai Dhian Singh Mand, who is currently in Nabha jail.
“Mand is in jail so we have decided to postpone the Sarbat Khalsa, but we will hold a Panthic conference at Takht Damdama Sahib on Vaisakhi,” Panthic Sewa Lehar president Baljit Singh Daduwal told media on Thursday.
While addressing a press conference Bhai Baljit Singh Daduwal and Bhai Amrik Singh Ajnala, who were appointed as Jathedar of Takhat Damdama Sahib and Takhat Kesgarh Sahib respectively, said that it was not feasible to hold Sarbat Khalsa 2016 on Vaisakhi as most of the organizers of the Sarbat Khalsa 2015 were arrested by the Punjab police in sedition case registered after November 10 event at Chabba village.
Daduwal added that they were hopeful that Mand would be released soon following which they would hold a meeting to chalk out their Vaisakhi programme. “Since we wouldn’t be left with much time to make arrangements of the Sarbat Khalsa, its time and venue could be changed,” he said, adding that the announcement of Sarbat Khalsa would be made on Vaisakhi.
Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) general secretary Jarnail Singh Sakhira said, “There is much enthusiasm about the Sarbat Khalsa in Sikh circles. It is postponed since our acting jathedar is in jail but we will make an announcement soon.”