Jathedars Vedanti and Nandgarh demands sack of Takhat Jathedars from SGPC

JALANDHAR, Punjab—Labeling the Takht Jathedars’ decision of pardoning Sirsa Cult Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim as an unforgiveable sin, former Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti and Jathedar Balwant Singh Nandgarh has demanded an immediate dismissal of the five Takht Jathedars.

In a meeting with representatives of Sikh bodies at Gurdwara Central Town here, Jathedar Vedanti, Jathedar Nandgarh and Jathedar Ram Singh Sangrawan (Head of a Damdami Taksal’s faction) asserted that the Jathedars exonerated Gurmeet Ram Rahim under political pressure from Punjab government and RSS. They termed it a violation of Sikh traditions at large.

‘By taking this decision, the Jathedars have violated customs, principles and traditions of Sri Akal Takht Sahib. The SGPC should immediately sack them. After this, the Panth would decide what punishment should be awarded to them’ they added.

“When the decision to level charges against the Sirsa Cult Chief was taken by the Jathedars, we had a big Sikh congregation at Takht Sri Damdama Sahib. We had a debate over the issue too. But it is shameful that when the Sirsa cult chief was absolved of the charges, it was done in a secret manner” said Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti.

Both of them admitted that they too faced immense pressure from Badal on various issues to give up their Panthik stand during their service tenure, but they never succumbed to his requests.

“Still, if the Jathedars feel that they took the right decision, they should come forward to have an open debate over the issue with us and Sikh community” challenged Jathedar Balwant Singh Nandgarh.

Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti stated that if the SGPC failed to dismiss the Takht Jathedars, they would bring the Sikh bodies onto a common platform to fight for the Sikh honour.

Both accuse the five Takht Jathedars of being the political tools of Parkash Badal and the RSS.