Haryana Sikhs, expressing support to SGPC, appear before Akal Takht

Amritsar Sep. 28 (ANI): Opposing the demand to form a separate Sikh committee for Sikhs in Haryana, thousands of Sikhs from the State appeared before Akal Takht and presented a memorandum.

The group urged Jathedar Akal Takht to ex-communicate Jagdish Singh Jhinda and others those who were responsible for the attack on the historical shrine-Chevin Patshahi, dedicated to the sixth Sikh Guru Guru Hargobind Singh--on September 13 in Kurukshetra.

Supporting Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee (SGPC), the group, claiming to represent hundreds of thousands of Sikhs in Haryana, presented a memorandum to Giani Gurbachan Singh, the Jathedar of Akal Takht.

It also demanded a stern action against Jagdish Singh Jhinda and his associates who occupied the Gurdwara Chevin Patshahi, located around 110 kilometres from Chandigarh. he group opposed the move to create separate Sikh committee for Haryana at any cost. Bhupinder Singh, former member SGPC from Haryana said, "We will never allow this to happen and will do everything to stop a separate committee for the Sikhs to be formed in Haryana".

He said that we also urged the Jathedar to excommunicate those who not only hurt the sentiments of the Sikhs but also violated the Sikh code of conduct.

Kulbir Kaur, a Sikh activist from Panchkula of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), said: "We fully support the SGPC to take care of the Sikh shrines situated in Haryana and elsewhere. Poeple like Jhinda should be given punishment for trying to divide the Sikh community."

Meanwhile Jathedar Akal Takht Giani Gurbachan Singh confirmed that today he did receive a memorandum on behalf of Sikhs living in Haryana conveying their support to SGPC and demanding action against Jagdish Singh Jhinda.

Gurbachan Singh said that five Sikh Jathedars would be meeting at Akal Takht on October 1 to discuss the issue. By Ravinder Singh Robin (ANI)