Sacrilege row: SAD to seek forgiveness at Takht

JALANDHAR: Under fire from Sikhs over sacrilege cases in 2015 during the Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP regime, the top brass of SAD have decided to go to Akal Takht and pray for forgiveness for the Jaane/Anjaane hoian bhulan (deliberate or inadvertent follies) of the past.

The entire leadership of the party, including patron and former CM Parkash Singh Badal, party president Sukhbir Singh Badal, core committee and working members, MLAs and SGPC members will offer Ardaas in front of the Akal Takht on Saturday, and start Akhand Path (uninterrupted recitation of Guru Granth Sahib).

It is learnt that the decision to seek forgiveness from the Guru was taken at the party’s core committee meeting in Chandigarh on Thursday. The moves comes at a time when the Lok Sabha polls are barely a few months away. Sources said the decision to seek forgiveness has been taken as the party is facing criticism from Panthic quarters — core base of the party — especially over arranging pardon of Dera Sacha Sauda chief, the Bargari sacrilege incident and the resulting police firing at Behbal Kalan in which two Sikhs were killed.

Party brass, SGPC members perform sewa at Akal Takht

SAD spokesperson Daljeet Singh Cheema said that Badal senior and the entire leadership would go to Akal Takht on Saturday morning. “For two days, the leadership would perform Sewa at the Darbar Sahib complex,” he said.

It is learnt that apart from the top leadership, circle presidents and SGPC members owing allegiance to the party would also converge on Golden Temple to participate in the three-day penance.

The SIT, probing police firing incidents at Behbal Kalan on sacrilege issue, had summoned Badal, his son Sukhbir and actor Akshay Kumar.

SAD has also been facing heat on these issues from three senior leaders — MP Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, ex-MP Ratan Singh Ajnala and ex-minister Sewa Singh Sekhwan.