Amritsar, May 28

The controversial ‘ardas’ conducted at a Bathinda gurdwara in favour of Dera Sirsa head Gurmeet Ram Rahim appeared to be planned for gaining political mileage. This was revealed in a probe conducted by the Dharam Parchar Committee of the SGPC that has been submitted to Akal Takht.

In a video that went viral recently, ‘pathi’ Gurmel Singh Khalsa performed the ‘ardas’ in the presence of devotees at a gurdwara at Bir Talab village in Bathinda for the early release of the Dera Sirsa head. Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh said the dera culture was prospered by political parties to gain votes.

“As per the probe report, the ‘ardas’ imitation in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib favouring controversial Dera Sirsa head was suspected to be a well-planned conspiracy to gain political ground in the 2022 Assembly poll. The one who planned it has been identified. He has been associated with the BJP,” the jathedar said. Meanwhile, Rampal Kaur, wife of the arrested man, met BJP leader and National Commission of Schedule Castes Chairman Vijay Sampla in Jalandhar and claimed the arrest was “politically motivated”. — TNS