Amritsar: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has convened a Panthic gathering at Gurdwara Sri Manji Sahib Diwan Hall on July 5 following the Akal Takht’s directive to the Punjab govt to amend the anti-sacrilege law within a month and to discuss challenges confronting the Sikh Panth.SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami and Takht Sri Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Tek Singh handed over invitation letters for the meeting to leaders of Sikh sects. The invitees include Jathedar Baba Balbir Singh, 96th Karori, chief of Shiromani Panth Akali Budha Dal; Baba Ghala Singh of Nanaksar Kaleran; Baba Hakam Singh; Resham Singh Barnala; Baba Jagjit Singh Lopowale; and several others. Discussions are expected to focus on challenges facing Panthic institutions and other issues concerning the Sikh community. The situation arising from the Akal Takht’s declaration of Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann as a “Guru Dokhi” (betrayer of the Guru) and “Khalsa Panth Virodhi” (opponent of the Khalsa Panth) will also be discussed, an SGPC release said. Dal Khalsa leader Kanwarpal Singh, referring to recent developments at the Akal Takht, said, “Our meeting on July 4 at Gurdwara Shaheedan will collectively reflect on the direction of the Panth and reaffirm our commitment to strengthening Panthic unity, the authority of Akal Takht Sahib and the institutions that safeguard Sikh principles and doctrine.” Referring to the developments at the Akal Takht, Sehajdhari Sikh Party national president Dr P S Ranu said the events marked a reassertion of the authority and supremacy of the Takht over temporal and political power. In a statement issued Tuesday, Ranu said the party had labelled the entire event as “completely unconstitutional” and contrary to the core spirit of the Constitution. However, he said, the party appreciated the fair and unbiased conduct of Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, who managed the proceedings with impartiality.
