Thousands protest 'Dera' chief's blasphemous act, burn effigy

New Delhi, May 20 (UNI) Thousands of Sikhs today protested the blasphemy by the head of Dera Sacha Sauda demanding his arrest and a 'clear apology' by him at the Akal Takht in Amritsar.

The protestors, rallying under the Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee banner, and carrying swords and lathis sought a sincere apology by 'Dera' chief Gurmeet Singh Ram Rahim or his trial.

They first paid obeisance at the Bangla Saheb Gurudwara and then marched to Jantar Mantar for a 'formal protest' where an effigy of Gurmeet Singh was burnt and slogans raised against his blasphemous act.

Among those who participated in the protest march and denounced the 'Sauda' chief's actions were DSGPC president P S Sarna, social activist Swami Agnivesh, Delhi Akali Dal (Badal) leader Avtar Singh Hit and several other leaders of different faiths including Hinduism and Christianity.

While Swami Agnivesh called the 'Dera' chief a fraud and sought punishment for him, Akali leader Avtar Singh alleged Gurmeet had links with terrorist elements and had several police cases against him.

The protestors included several children from DSGPC schools and scores of women.

Adequate security arrangements had been done with Police Commissioner K K Paul personally supervising the 'peaceful rally'.

UNI