Fatehgrah Sahib – In wake of strong protest from the Sikh sangat the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Avtar Singh Makkar had to abruptly end his address, even as Akal Takht jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh did not deliver his “sandesh”(message) to the community on the concluding day of the three-day Shaheedi Sabha in Fatehgarh Sahib on December 25.
The Akal Takht jathedar, who has been under fire from radicals over the controversial decision to pardon the Dera Sacha Sauda head (the pardon was later revoked), decided not to address the gathering. Later, SGPC executive member Karnail Singh Panjoli tried to pacify the protesters, but the sangat refused.
Earlier, during a pre-event gathering, ‘Safar-e-Shahaadat’, at Gurdwara Thanda Burj on Friday, some people had protested against Makkar, forcing him to leave the dais.
When contacted, Makkar said anti-social elements were trying to disturb peace, so he had decided to cut short his address. Despite repeated attempts, Giani Gurbachan Singh could not be contacted for comment.