—Earlier today, while speaking at Diwan Hall Manji Sahib, Badal appointed Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Gurbachan Singh hinted at possible action against Sikh parcharik Bhai Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale. Giani Gurbachan Singh was addressing the Sikh Sangat on the gurpurab of Guru Ramdas Sahib Ji here when he indirectly referred to Dhadrianwale.
“Some people are causing doubts in the Sikh community. They have recently made the Amrit Sarovar at Sri Harmandir Sahib their target. These people should be shunned by the Sikh community,” Giani Gurbachan Singh said. While Bhai Dhadrianwale has cleared his stance on the issue, his words have continued to be twisted. A UK based Sikh group with the name of Jagowale Jatha and some members of the International Panthik Dal had recently held a meeting on October 9, 2016, in which they appealed to Badal appointed Jathedars to take action on Bhai Dhadrianwale.
Dhadrianwale has since cleared his stance on the issue. “Deliberate attempts are being made to disseminate misconstrued information that Bhai Ranjit Singh Khalsa Dhadrianwale has spoken against certain Sikh traditions such as ‘Ishnaan’ (bathing) in the Sarovar. Furthermore, a picture is being painted that Bhai Ranjit Singh Khalsa has attacked Gurbani and has attacked Darbar Sahib. Not only is this bizarre but it is far from the truth,” a press statement released by Gurdwara Parmeshar Dwar reads.
Providing clarification over his stance, Bhai Dhadrianwale said, “One individual approached me about not being able to go to Punjab, and consequently not being able to do darshan ishaan at Sri Amritsar. I simply told this person that while the ishnan at Sri Amritsar is very pious, he should not carry the weight that he is less of a Sikh for not being able to do ishaan. I explained to him that he can still read Gurbani and take ishnaan of Gurbani at home.”
Speaking at the Gurpurab celebrations, Giani Jagtar Singh, head granthi of Sachkhand Sri Darbar Sahib also warned Dhadrianwale indirectly. One can speculate that if groups like Jagowale and International Panthik Dal with close relations with the Badal government continue to twist words by Dhadrianwale, these Jathedars will likely be taking action in the coming days.
Giani Gurbachan Singh and other takht Jathedars were shunned by the Sikh community after they issued pardon to Gurmeet Ram Rahim of Sacha Sauda cult. In November 2015, Sikh Sangat sacked these jathedars during Sarbat Khalsa. Dhadrianwale has since continued to boycott Government appointed Jathedars, referring to them as “Sarkari jathedars”. On the otherhand, Jagowale and International Panthik Dal have not accepted Sarbat Khalsa or the Jathedars appointed during November 2015 gathering.