Once led by Bhindranwale, Damdami Taksal says won't let SGPC jathedar speak at Op Bluestar event
Amritsar: Mehta Chowk-based Sikh seminary Damdami Taksal chief Baba Harnam Singh Dhumma has asked the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to prevent the officiating jathedar of the Akal Takht, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, from delivering a message to the Sikh community from the Akal Takht rostrum on June 6, the anniversary of
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The chief of Damdami Taksal, which was once led by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, has said if SGPC failed to stop Gargaj from issuing the message, Damdami Taksal and other Sikh groups will strongly oppose the move. He added if any confrontation arose in the process, the SGPC will be held responsible, both directly and indirectly. "To avoid any conflict or division within the quom (community), the SGPC and Punjab govt must act with wisdom and fulfil their responsibilities," said Dhumma, whose statement came during a meeting at the Damdami Taksal headquarters in Mehta Chowk on Saturday.
Dhumma, who has grown closer to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) since his support to the party's Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra in Nov last year, said Gargaj had not been accepted by the panth (Sikh community) as jathedar. He claimed that Gargaj's appointment was made in violation of established maryada (the Sikh code of religious conduct).
As per established tradition, the Akal Takht jathedar pays tribute to those killed in Operation Bluestar during a shaheedi samagam (martyrdom event) held by SGPC on June 6 and deliver a message to the Sikh community from the rostrum of the Akal
Dhumma said the panth did not recognise Gargaj as the legitimate jathedar.
"Therefore, any message delivered by him from the ramparts of Akal Takht Sahib will not be acceptable, he added. "The Damdami Taksal, along with the entire Sant Samaj, Sikh sects, Sikh federations, Nihang Singh organisations, and the broader Sikh panth, will strongly oppose such a move," said Dhumma.
He also accused SGPC of violating religious protocol under political influence. "The jathedar was appointed around 2.30am at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, without the parkash of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, and an announcement was made appointing Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj by simply offering siropa (robe of honour)," he recalled. "This act has created a serious crisis within the panth," Dhumma added.
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