A delegation of the Sanjhi Sangharsh Committee, which is spearheading the movement for the release of Sikh detainees, today met Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh and demanded the withdrawal of “Fakhr-e-Qaum” title bestowed upon Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.
The Akal Takht had bestowed this title or honour on Badal in 2011 in recognition of his services to the Sikh ‘panth’ (community).
In a memorandum handed over to the Jathedar, the committee blamed Badal for Sikhism’s decline and increasing drug addiction in the state. They also accused the CM as an enemy (dushman) of the Sikh ‘panth’ and responsible for “crushing their movement” for the release of the Sikh detainees.
They have set August 30 as the deadline for withdrawing this honour and threatened that if their demand was not met then, ” the ‘quam’ will itself issue a directive announcing the withdrawal of the honour “.
Those who met the Jathedar included Surjit Singh Kalabala, SGPC member, Jarnail Singh Sakhira and Jaskaran Singh Kahan Singhwala, both of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), Harbir Singh Sandhu and Gurdip Singh Bathinda.
“We have the highest regard for the Akal Takht and have always been ready to submit to its dictates. At critical junctures, the ‘quam’ always looks to the Akal Takht for guidance”, the memorandum stated.
“IF you do not withdraw this honour then you will be insulting those ‘panthic’ stalwarts who were bestowed with this high honour earlier“, the memorandum stated.
The Jathedar refused to comment on the contents of the memorandum or on the demand of the Sangarsh Committee.
They urged the Jathedar to make efforts to get prisoners released. The Jathedar said the matter would be discussed in the next meeting of the Sikh clergy.