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Akal Takht to discuss Dera chief's letter
A crucial meeting of top Sikh clerics starts today to take stock of the situation in the wake of an apology reportedly tendered by Dera Sacha Sauda chief.
A crucial meeting of top Sikh clerics started in Amritsar on Wednesday afternoon to take stock of the situation in the wake of an apology reportedly tendered by Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, who is accused of hurting religious sentiments of Sikhs.
The meeting is being held under Akal Takht (highest temporal seat of Sikhs) Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti's chairmanship, who returned to Amritsar from Canada on Tuesday night.
Ahead of the meeting, Vedanti, in a statement on Wednesday charged the Dera chief with being "arrogant, mischievous and cunning".
Also taking part in the meeting were the Jathedars of Kesgarh Sahib, Damdama Sahib, Patna Sahib and Vice Jathedar of Hazoor Sahib, Sikh temporal seats.
A hardliner, Harnam Singh of Damdami Taksal also reached the Golden Temple premises and was seen outside the meeting venue with his supporters.
Police have diverted traffic from all roads leading to Akal Takht. Only Government and media vehicles were being allowed to ply near the Golden Temple.
After expressing his apology last month in the wake of protests by Sikhs for wearing a dress resembling to that of Sikh guru Gobind Singh, the Dera chief is understood to have sent the draft of a fresh letter to Akal Takht through Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee President Paramjit Singh Sarna.
Sarna earlier claimed that the Dera chief, in his second communication, apologised to the sikh community.
Violent protests by Sikhs had erupted across Punjab and parts of Haryana after Dera chief appeared in newspaper advertisements on May 13 in a dress similar to that of Guru Gobind Singh.
