AMRITSAR SAHIB, Punjab—Intelligence sources have said that the Sikh Jathedars have been advised to restrict their movement in the wake of protests that been taking place since the events of last week.
The highest temporal body of Sikhs on September 24 had granted an apology to Gurmeet Ram Rahim and pardoned him for his provocative acts of mocking the Sikh Guru. The decision to pardon the controversial preacher had not gone down well with most Sikh organizations who announced that they will launch agitations.
Security for the appointed Jathedar of Akal Takht and other high priests have been increased dramatically and without giving further details police commissioner J S Aulakh said, “We have increased the security for the whole of the Akal Takht area.”
Recently, students of a breakaway faction of Damdami Taksal, Ajnala, had for the first time burnt an effigy of the five Jathedars, protesting against granting pardon to Gurmeet Ram Rahim behind closed doors. Intelligence sources said that Sikh high priests had been advised to restrict their movement in the wake of protests.
SGPC additional secretary D S Bedi confirmed that the state police had given around half-a-dozen extra security guards to Giani Gurbachan Singh. He said the SGPC had also increased number of its task force – internal security force of SGPC – attached with Giani Gurbachan Singh and other Jathedars.
Amritsar senior superintendent of police Jasdeep Singh said police were aware of the protests against the Jathedar and had taken appropriate measures for his security.
The controversial chief of the Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda had angered Sikhs in 2007 when he appeared in an initiation ceremony wearing clothes associated with Guru Gobind Singh. This had led to widespread violence in both Punjab and Haryana.
Why do the people who are supposed to guard the interests of the nation (Jathedars) need security to protect them from the people?