Chief minister Parkash Singh Badal on Saturday said his party respected the decision of the Akal Takht, so it called off its Panthic convention on the issue of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC).
Answering queries by the media just before the commencement of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) core committee meeting at Teja Singh Samundri Hall at the Golden Temple complex here on Saturday evening, Badal denied that the directive by the Akal Takht had been taken under pressure.
"I do not think there was any pressure on the Akal Takht, nor is there any pressure on us," he said while replying to a question.
Asked about the reasons behind the Akal Takht's decision, he replied, "Only the Takht jathedar will be able to tell you this."
Badal, who is also the patron of the SAD, however, chose to make clear the stand of his party on the HSGMC issue, saying, "Our party line is quite clear that there will be no bifurcation of the SGPC."
Meanwhile, Badal appealed to the Akal Takht and the Centre to find a solution to the problem soon.
When his attention was drawn to certain leaders of the 41-member ad hoc committee of the HSGMC taking the oath of office (as adhoc committee members) at Karnal, he said, "They do not have the mandate to do so. Moreover, two of their members have been excommunicated by the Akal Takht."
{{/usCountry}}When his attention was drawn to certain leaders of the 41-member ad hoc committee of the HSGMC taking the oath of office (as adhoc committee members) at Karnal, he said, "They do not have the mandate to do so. Moreover, two of their members have been excommunicated by the Akal Takht."
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