Akal Takht will summon Sikh Congress leaders

Amritsar, May 21 (UNI) Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti today said all Sikh Congress leaders who were responsible for inciting Dera Sacha Sauda activists at Bathinda on May 14 would be summoned before the Akal Takht.

''We are identifying the Sikh Congress leaders present on that day at Bathinda along with Sacha Sauda supporters who attacked Sikhs'', he said in an informal chat with mediapersons here.

Regarding the 'offence committed by Sacha Sauda chief Baba Gurmeet Ram Raheem Singh in imitating the tenth Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh, the Jathedar made it clear that it was ''an unpardonable offence''.

'' However if he accepts his mistake and bows before the Akal Takht, then a soft stand could be taken,'' the Jathedar said.

The Akal Takht had yesterday outrightly rejected the 'regret' offered by the Baba for having imitated the tenth Guru and had called for the closure of all centers of the Dera in Punjab by May 27. The Sikh clergy and religious and social organisations have already made it clear that nothing short of a public apology could help diffuse the situation.

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal too has criticised the Baba for imitating the Guru and has said, '' it does not behove of him to act in such a manner''. The Baba has already been booked by the Punjab Police under section 295 A for hurting religious sentiments.

UNI