Sukhbir Singh Badal annoys Sikh leaders by seeking Dera Sacha Sauda support

Often terming the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) as the religious (panthak) party, its chief Sukhbir Singh Badal has in fact annoyed the leaders of his own religion by seeking help from Sirsa, Haryana-based religious sect Dera Sacha Sauda.

Sikh leaders have accused Badal of violating a 2007 edict under which a social, religious and political boycott was announced against the Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim.

Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim is accused of hurting the religious sentiments of Sikhs. The Sikh leaders have brought the matter to the notice of Akal Takht - the highest Sikh temporal authority based in Amritsar and has demanded a strict action against him.

Also read: Dera Sacha Sauda to support SAD-BJP in Punjab polls

Senior SAD leader and member Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) - the authority which manages the Sikh shrines - Karnail Singh Panjoli in a written complaint to the authority has accused Akali Dal of violating the edict issued by the Akal Takht on May 17, 2007 under which a social , political and religious boycott order was issued against Dera chief for imitating the Sikh Guru.

"This is a very serious issue as the Akali Dal has violated the Akal Takht edict. Strict action may be taken against those who violated the edict so that no one dares to violate it in future," the complaint said.

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Sources said the complainant Karnail Singh Panjoli had personally spoken to Akal Takht chief Gyani Gurbachan Singh. Photographs of Akali Dal candidates meeting the Dera authorities in Bathinda have also been made as evidence to prove that Akali Dal had sought help from the sect. Interestingly, the Akali Dal in lieu of the support has promised that it will allow the congregations of Dera followers in Punjab which were banned by the Akal Takht. The decision has left the Sikh religious leaders fuming who want action against Sukhbir Singh Badal.

"Badal family has betrayed Sikhs. The SGPC should take action against Badals to send a clear message that religion is above the politics. Seeking support from Dera will not save the sinking ship," General secretary of a radical outfit Dal Khalsa, Kanwar Pal Singh said.

PROBE ORDERED

Sources close to Akal Takht said that the authority has sought internal probe. It may summon Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal after the probe is over.

It is worth mentioning that, Akali Dal in 2015 had managed a 'pardon' for Dera chief, but it was dropped immediately after the Sikhs throughout the world objected to it.

Meanwhile, Akali Dal spokesperson Virsa Singh Valtoha has said that Akali Dal had not approached Dera for the support. Dera chief had already denied the allegations that he ever imitated the Sikh Guru.

"We never asked Dera for support. It was announced by the sect itself. So far as the presence of Akali Dal candidates with Dera people is concerned, it is their personal matter," Virsa Singh Valtoha said.

Interestingly , the matter was also brought to the notice of the Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, V K Singh, who expressed the inability to take any action saying the 'Announcement of support by a religious sect does not violate model code of conduct."