Takht Damdama Sahib head denies proactive role in pardon to dera head
Takht Damdama Sahib acting jathedar Giani Gurmukh Singh has denied claims by a section of the Panth that he has played a proactive role in securing pardon for Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh from the Akal Takht in the blasphemy case.
“I am willing to clarify my role before any member of the Panth, but do not level baseless allegations against me,” he said while talking to the media at his house at the Golden Temple complex here on Monday, shortly before leaving for Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda.
When told about the reports that he had done the groundwork to pave way for the pardon to the dera head, he clarified that he had neither done the groundwork, nor had he initiated the move.
“I am being accused of having accepted money for initiating the process. Anyone can come and check if I have accepted any money,” he said, while pointing out that the decision was taken collectively by the jathedars of the five Sikh Takhts.
Regretting that some Panthic organisations and individuals had started a campaign against him in the social media, he said, “I possibly cannot reply to each and every one’s charge. But if any five Panthic leaders in their capacity as Panj Piaras approach me, I will clarify my role.”
When asked whether he agreed to the decision to pardon the dera chief, Giani Gurmukh Singh said he would comment at the appropriate time.
He denied reports that he had decided to quit after being accused of having played the lead role in the issue. He also denied that some of his family members had turned against him after the decision.
Later, the acting jathedar, along with his family, left for Talwandi Sabo amid heavy security. As he is designated as an acting jathedar, Giani Gurmukh Singh is holding on to his house at the Golden Temple complex that he had been allotted when he was a granthi here. Due to the criticism of his role in the entire episode, the acting jathedar had been putting up here.
Amritsar, Takht Damdama Sahib, Giani Gurmukh Singh, Dera Sacha Sauda, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, Akal Takht, blasphemy case