Sikh clergy boycotts Dera Sacha Sauda, seeks ban

Talwandi Sabo, May 17 (UNI) The five Sikh head priests today issued a 'hukamnama'(edict) calling for social boycott of the Dera Sacha Sauda, a ban on the organisation and the arrest of its chief Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh for allegedly dressing up like Guru Gobind Singh and hurting Sikh religious sentiments.

After a meeting of various Sikh organisations at the Takht Damdama Sahib here, Akal Takht Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti read out the edict which demanded filing of cases against Dera chief and its followers who indulged in violence in Bhatinda.

The edict also warned the the Centre and the governments of Punjab and Haryana to impose a ban on the Dera Sacha Sauda, failing which it threatened of ''dire consequences.'' The 'hukamnama' also directed the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Commmitte (SGPC) to pressure the Akali government in Punjab to take action against the Dera head and its followers.

Mr Vedanti gave an ultimatum to the government to take action in this regard till May 27.

However, the 'sangat' (congregation) on the occasion expressed dissatisfaction over the decisions of the head priests and demanded more stern view of the matter.

They raised slogans in the name of 'Khalistan' and late Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale.

To pacify the 'sangat,' Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Balwant Singh Nandgarh intervened and advanced the ultimatum given to the government to May 20.

MORE UNI