SGPC rejects ‘gurmata’ by parallel ‘Jathedars’

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, June 18

A day after the ‘Sarbat Khalsa’-appointed ‘Jathedars’ pronounced a ‘gurmata’ (decree) against Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal, the SGPC has refused to acknowledge it.

Committee chief Avtar Singh Makkar said only Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh was authorised to take such religious decisions. “Addressing a small gathering without following the laid-down principles can never be legitimised as a ‘gurmata’,” he said.

“We refuse to accept it. The address which is termed as ‘gurmata’ by the self-styled ‘Jathedars’ was not announced from the podium of Akal Takht but outside the Golden Temple complex. They have defamed the Akal Takht’s sanctity,” he added.