A special general meeting of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) was held today at Teja Singh Samundri Hall here.
The meeting concluded that legal action and a police case would be pursued against Mann, who, it said, no longer possesses the moral authority to remain chief minister.
The meeting also resolved that, in accordance with Sikh tradition, a large Panthic gathering would be held on July 5 at Gurdwara Manji Sahib Diwan Hall to make Sikhs aware of the Sri Akal Takht Sahib’s directive.
The body also announced it would launch major campaigns in every constituency and send preaching groups to motivate Sikhs to uphold the directive.
The meeting, led by SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami, was attended by Sikh religious leaders, jathedars, representatives of five Takhts, and granthis of Sri Harmandar Sahib.
Addressing a gathering, Akal Takht jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj said that Akal Takht Sahib is the supreme authority for Sikhs, and obeying its directives is every Sikh’s duty.He also termed Mann’s challenge to Akal Takht an affront to the institution.
Gargajj said governments are continuously attempting to get direct control of Sikh institutions and called for unity among the panths.
Dhami said that the current Punjab government’s agenda targets ‘Panthic’ institutions.
The SGPC passed a resolution in its meeting stating that the video had caused widespread anger among Sikhs.
“Rather than acknowledging his mistake before Akal Takht Sahib, the CM is repeatedly making false statements and disrespecting the highest temporal Sikh authority,” the resolution said.
It emphasised that Akal Takht Sahib, established by Guru Hargobind Sahib, remains the supreme religious and ‘Panthic’ authority of Sikhs, and respecting its orders is the collective responsibility of the Sikh community.
The Akal Takht had issued an edict against Mann on June 15.
The edict came after Akal Takht claimed that the video — purportedly showing a man resembling Mann and indulging in acts deemed sacrilegeous by the supreme body — was found to be “authentic” by two forensic laboratories.
The matter stems from the Akal Takht summoning Mann in January this year for allegedly making comments on ‘Guru ki Golak’ (gurdwara donation box) and indulging in “objectionable activities” with the pictures of the Sikh Gurus and slain militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale in the purported video clip.
Mann, however, reiterated that he was not in the alleged video and claimed that the person seen in the clip was wearing a mask resembling his face.
