‘Panj Pyaras’ may not attend congregation

Neeraj Bagga

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, November 20

Even as Jagtar Singh Hawara, who was appointed Akal Takht “jathedar” by Sikh hardliners, has asked expelled Panj Pyaras to lead in holding the next ‘Sarbat Khalsa’, they and a few other Sikh organisations are likely to stay away from the proposed congregation.

Sikh hardliners announced the fresh date of holding the ‘Sarbat Khalsa’ at Talwandi Sabo on December 8. The previous plan to hold the congregation on November 10 had to be postponed at the eleventh hour after the police held its main organisers.

The expelled Panj Pyaras are of the opinion that they were not taken into confidence before calling the next ‘Sarbat Khalsa’.

Differences between the ‘Panj Pyaras’ and the organisers of the ‘Sarbat Khalsa’ has surfaced many a time. Earlier, the organisers of the ‘Sarbat Khalsa’ had abstained from taking part in the meeting called by the ‘Panj Pyaras’ to frame rules for convening ‘Sarbat Khalsa’ on October 18.

When asked about their participation, one of the ‘Panj Pyaras’ Satnam Singh Khanda said, “This question does not arise as they have neither been consulted nor invited”.