Dhian Singh Mand, who was appointed the parallel jathedar of Akal Takht during a Sarbat Khalsa in November last year, on Thursday invited non-Sikhs to take part in this year’s religious congregation at Damdama Sahib on December 8.
Accusing the Akali-BJP government of running a “foul campaign” against the Sarbat Khalsa, Mand said there was no truth in the allegation that it would lead to law and order problem. “I am sure we would conduct the Sarbat Khalsa proceedings most amicably,” he said, while inviting non-Sikhs to attend it as spectators to witness the proceedings being conducted in “peaceful manner” and in “larger national interest”.
Mand, who was accompanied by other parallel jathedar Baljit Singh Daduwal, told the representatives of different radical and religious organisations present at the meeting that the three jathedars will take a round of entire Punjab from November 28 to 30 to mobilise people for the congregation. While third jathedar, Amrik Singh Ajanala, could not attend the meeting as he was unwell, the fourth -- Jagtar Singh Hawara -- is lodged in jail for former chief minister Beant Singh’s assassiantion.
Calling the ban imposed by the state government on the Sarbat Khalsa that was to take place on November 10 as unjustified, Mand questioned: “Why is the government demanding paramilitary forces? We are not anti-nationals.”
{{/usCountry}}Calling the ban imposed by the state government on the Sarbat Khalsa that was to take place on November 10 as unjustified, Mand questioned: “Why is the government demanding paramilitary forces? We are not anti-nationals.”
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