Dal Khalsa rejects SGPC probe into SAD-Dera Sacha Sauda pact

“It is like asking an assistant sub-inspector to investigate charges against a director general of police. Who will dare to go against his leadership?” he questioned. Dhami said by accepting support from dera head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the SAD had violated the Akal Takht edict. “It is a last-ditch effort by the party to save its sinking ship, but the manoeuvre is going to boomerang,” said Dhami.

Radical Sikh outfit Dal Khalsa has rejected the probe ordered by Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Kirpal Singh Badungar into Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda’s pact with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) ahead of the assembly polls, stating that appointment of lower-rung Akali leaders to investigate allegations against their high-ups was a mere eyewash.

Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh (HT File Photo)

Dal Khalsa former president HS Dhami said the probe committee constituted by the SGPC will only try to save SAD’s top brass from embarrassment, as the members concerned were elected with the latter’s blessings. The panel is headed by SGPC vice-president Baldev Singh Kayampur (Haryana) and comprises SGPC members Amarjit Singh Chawla and Gurbachan Singh.

“It is like asking an assistant sub-inspector to investigate charges against a director general of police. Who will dare to go against his leadership?” he questioned. Dhami said by accepting support from dera head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, the SAD had violated the Akal Takht edict. “It is a last-ditch effort by the party to save its sinking ship, but the manoeuvre is going to boomerang,” said Dhami.

Dhami alleged Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) office-bearers Manjit Singh GK and Manjinder Singh Sirsa, who have criticised the Sikh leaders who had sought support from the Sirsa dera, were the SAD’s protege and had done so to “deceive” the Delhi-based Sikh community ahead of the DSGMC elections.

Various political leaders had made beeline for the Sirsa dera ahead of the polls. Finally, the dera extended support to the SAD-BJP combine. Akali leaders, in return, had promised to facilitate the dera to hold ‘satsangs’ in Punjab.