Akal Takht calls upon excommunicated persons to return to Sikh fold

Amritsar, June 7 (ANI): Akal Takht, the highest Sikh temporal seat, on Sunday offered another chance to excommunicated community persons to return to Sikh fold.

The five Sikh Jathedars, or high priests, said that all those persons who have been excommunicated from the Sikh community should present themselves before the Akal Takth here to submit an apology.

"The Sikh community has taken an important decision that till today the people who have been excommunicated from the Akal Takht, they are getting another golden chance. They need to produce themselves in front of the Akal Takht sahib within the next one month and do an apology prayer. If they fail to come out within one month then the devotees should act against them strictly," said Gyani Gurbachan Singh, Jathedar, Akal Takht.

In January this year Gyani Darshan Singh Ragi, a former high priest of the Akal Takth, was expelled from the religion for making objectionable remarks against the tenth spiritual guru, Guru Gobind Singh, during a congregation in the United States in November 2009.

Reportedly, he failed to clarify his position before the five Jathedars for his objectionable remarks.

Incidents of excommunicating in Sikh religion are not uncommon; followers are liable for being declared Tankhiya for flouting Sikhism practices like cutting hair or trying to bring disrepute to the Guru Granth Sahib. (ANI)