Sydney – The row over pardon granted to Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim in a blasphemy case refuses to die down. Sikh organizations abroad are coming forward in opposing the pardoning of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim by Sikh clergy, believing that the decision was politically motivated.
On Monday, Australian Sikh Association (ASA) in Sydney condemned the decision of five Jathedars who had granted pardon to Gurmeet Ram Rahim, and announced a boycott of the SAD(B) and those working against Panthic interests.
The meeting of representatives of various Sikh organizations was held at Gurdwara Sahib at Glenwood in Sydney to discuss the decision of Sikh clerics.
“The decision of Sikh clerics is in complete violation of norms , Panthic traditions and maryada of Akal Takht”, a member of ASA told media.
“Badal family’s support to the Dera Sacha Sauda since 2007 and his endorsing of the decision by the Jathedars with an eye on the forthcoming elections was considered as a shameful act and it was unanimously decided to completely boycott Badal clan, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee president Avtar Singh Makar, SGPC members and all those supporting the decision taken by the rubber stamps” he said.
The ASA however hailed the stand taken by religious preacher Ranjit Singh Dhandrianwala and other Sikh bodies like Panthic Talmel Sangathan for openly discarding the Sikh clerics’ decision on Gurmeet Ram Rahim.