AMRITSAR – The SGPC today withdrew the Shiromani Patarkar Award conferred to veteran journalist Kuldip Nayar for using “objectionable words” and hurting Sikh sentiments by writing objectionable content against.
The SGPC executive committee members condemned the words used by the journalist for Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale in his recent article in which he compared Bhindranwale with chief of Dera Sacha Sauda Gurmeet Ram Rahim.
Besides this, the SGPC members condemned the use of words like ‘terrorist’ for Bhindrawale by the author Kuldip Nayar in his book ‘Beyond the lines‘.
I have no comments. They (SGPC) can act as per their wisdom,” says Kuldip Nayar.
Nayar had raised the hackles of Taksal after his weekly article appeared in newspapers and news portals in the first week of September.
“Sant ji (Bhindranwale) was an iconic figure of the Sikh community and Nayar has hurt the Sikh sentiments by writing against him. So, as per the request of Damdami Taksal, the SGPC has decided to strip him of the award,” said SGPC chief Kirpal Singh Badungar after the executive committee meet at Fatehgarh Sahib.
The SGPC had given the award to Nayar on July 3, 2006, at a function marking the 400th anniversary Akal Takht at the Golden Temple.
The Taksal had also demanded ban on Nayar’s autobiography ‘Beyond the Lines’ for use of words like ‘terrorist’ for Bhindranwale. Taksal head Harnam Singh Dhumma welcomed the SGPC decision.