Akal Takht sets up committee to counter Dera influence

Amritsar, July 8 (UNI) The Akal Takht today set up a high powered 21-member committe to counter the increasing influence of 'Deras' and for propagation of the Sikh religion, specially in the Malwa belt of Punjab.

The decision was taken by the top Sikh priests after holding discussions with other Sikh leaders including Gurmat Sidhhant Parcharak Sant Samaj chief and Damdami Taksal head Baba Harnam Singh Dhuma.

The leaders expressed grave concern over the growing popularity of other religious sects, specially in the Malwa belt including Ludhiana, Patiala, Sangrur, Bathinda, Barnala and Faridkot.

These sects, many of them having controversial heads, were misleading the vulnerable Sikhs away from their ''true '' religion, the leaders said The committe members include among others, Baba Dhuma, seven Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committtee (SGPC) members including Secretary Variam Singh, Sant Gurmail Singh Harcharan of Nanaksar, representatives of other Sikh sects like Nihangs and two members from Haryana Sant Ram Singh and Sant Karamjit Singh, according to a statement issued by the Takht.

UNI