AMRITSAR SAHIB, Punjab—In a significant development, the role of Damdami Taksal’s media advisor Sarchand Singh has been unearthed in case of the pardon granted to former Akali minister Sucha Langah in a historic gurdwara in Gurdaspur. This move is seen as a district challenge to the supremacy of the highest Sikh temporal seat as Langah was excommunicated by Akal Takht Sahib for an immoral act.
Sources close to Giani Harpreet Singh, SGPC-appointed acting Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib, have said that after having a tip-off about the alleged involvement of Sarchand Singh in this episode, the Jathedar got a non-official inquiry conducted to ascertain his role. After completion of the inquiry, the Jathedar has found that Sarchand Singh fully cooperated with Langah when the latter secured pardon by Panj Pyare at Gurdwara Baba Banda Sahib Bahadar at historic village Gurdas Nangal on August 3.
The investigation team has reportedly gathered evidence of the role he played by coordinating different persons including journalists. Sarchand Singh who has also remained media advisor to former Akali minister Bikram Singh Majithia, was there on the premises of the gurdwara when Langah was taking part in the Amrit Sanchar ceremony there.
After unearthing his role, Giani Harpreet Singh asked him to appear at the supreme Sikh temporal seat by August 22 with written clarification. Sources said, however, that action is sure to be taken against him as per Sikh tenets.
On the other hand, the SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal on Thursday transferred five of the employees of the gurdwara body for their role in the matter.
Sikh24 has a copy of the order issued in this regard, as per which Ranjit Singh, manager of Gurdwara Burj Sahib, Dhariwal (Gurdaspur), Jagdish Singh, manager of Gurdwara Barath Sahib (Pathankot), preacher Balbir Singh and preacher Jagroop Singh have been transferred to various gurdwaras in Haryana. Another granthi Gurnam Singh was shifted from Gurdas Nangal gurdwara to the headquarter of the SGPC.
The Akal Takht Sahib will award tankhah (religious punishment) to SGPC member Gurinderpal Singh Gora and Rattan Singh Zaffarwal, husband of another SGPC member, who were declared tankhiya (guilty of religious misconduct) for facilitating Langah to secure a pardon, in the next meeting of the Sikh clergy, likely to be held in the last week of this month.
On the complaint of the victim woman, the case of Langah’s immoral act also reached the court but he secured his acquittal in 2018. He approached Takht Sahib many times seeking pardon and revocation of his ex-communication but failed. Several Sikh organizations, activists and general community members had appealed to the Akal Takht Sahib to not pardon Langah, alleging that his act had made the entire community feel ashamed.
