The Sikh clergy has called for a Punjab bandh on May 22 to protest against the activities of the Dera.
AMRITSAR: The stand off between the Dera Sacha Sauda and the Sikhs showed no signs of a resolution on Sunday with the Akal Takht rejecting the Dera Head's regret, demanding the closure of all deras in Punjab and calling for a state bandh on Tuesday.
On a day when the Punjab police filed a case against the Dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in Bathinda for allegedly hurting religious sentiments, the Takht also sought expediting of the CBI probe in connection with the murder of a Sirsa journalist who had written against the Dera and the allegations of rape in its headquarters in Sirsa in Haryana.
At the end of the three-day deadline set for Dera chief's apology for alleged blasphemy to Guru Gobind Singh and for Punjab government's action, the five high priests met here at the Golden Temple complex here amidst calls for stern action.
Issuing a fresh 'hukumnama' (edict) at the end of a two-hour crucial meeting of the priests, Akal Takht Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti announced the bandh on May 22, considered a rare call from the Sikhs' highest temporal seat.
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Apparently not in a mood to accept the statement of regret issued by Ram Rahim Singh, the high priests demanded that the Punjab government close down all the Deras in the state by May 27.
The Priests decided to meet again on May 31 to review the situation and decide their next course of action.
The Edict also called upon the Sikhs to undertake a protest march from Fatehgarh Sahab to Chandigarh for presenting a memoranda to the Governors of Punjab and Haryana demanding action against Baba Ram Rahim Singh and his Deras.
Vedanti said the demand for expediting the CBI probe in the Dera's affairs will be made in a memoranda to President, Prime Minister and Union Home minister.
Describing as tricky the regret statement issued by the Dera, Vedanti said the priests after having had consultations with various Sikh organisations decided to reject the same.
The protest by the Sikhs against the anti-religious activities of the Dera has to be peaceful, the Priests said in their edict.
Vedanti alleged the Dera chief has hurt the religious sentiments of the Sikhs by giving an advertisement attired in a dress similar to that of Guru Gobind Singh and also administered Amrit (nectar) to his followers in violation of Sikh traditions.
He said the Sikhs have to lodge a peaceful protest against the "merciless beating" of their fellowmen by the Dera supporters. While taking out protest marches the community has to remain in senses while showing its anger, Vedanti said.
Earlier, addressing the congregation Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahab Balwant Singh Nandgarh said the Dera chief is guilty of not only hurting the Sikhs but also the entire mankind.
"Today he imitated our Guru Gobind Singh, tomorrow he may copy Gurus and Saints of other religions, including Muslims Christians and even Ram," he said.
The registration of the case came a day after Singh expressed regret over the "chain of events" that occurred after newspaper advertisements featured him attired like 17th century Sikh Guru Gobind Singh.
Earlier in the day, the Punjab government had hoped that the registration of a case against Ram Rahim Singh would help "cool down tempers". The case was filed hours before the meeting of the Akal Takht.
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal's media advisor Harcharan Singh Bains while voicing this hope was non-committal on the arrest of the Dera chief.
"The law will take its own course," Bains merely said when asked about the possibility of his arrest.
The advertisements had led to outbreak of sectarian violence in the state, claiming a life and causing much damage to government and private properties.
Singh was charged by Punjab Police under section 295-A of the IPC relating to deliberate malicious act intended to outrage the religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or its religious belief, a government spokesman said.
Meanwhile, there were some tense moments when the meeting of the Head priests was in progress. A policeman carrying a gun was beaten up by SGPC workers who also had a scuffle with mediapersons near the venue of the meeting
Assistant Sub-Inspector Lakhbir Singh faced the wrath of the SGPC task force when he allegedly tried to sneak into the meeting area in the Akal Takht premises, official sources said.
The ASI received injuries on various parts of his body but was out of danger, the sources said.
The SGPC workers also had a scuffle with some mediapersons, especially from the electronic channels, as they tried to go close to the scene of attack, the sources said.
Nandgarh said Sant Gurmeet claims there has been some misunderstanding.
"He is wrong in saying this as he had imitated our Guru," he said, adding the struggle programme to be announced by Vedanti has to be carried out peacefully.
Thanking the "sangat" (community) for the support, he said the Khalsa Panth should carry on a peaceful struggle. "You have to be peaceful in protesting," he stressed.
Nandgarh said the programme has been finalised by the five Jathedars in consultation with various Sikh organisations, including Damdami Taksal and Sant Samaj.
He said weakness of the community should not be seen in the programme finalised by the high priests. "We are not afraid... but we have to follow legal steps. We cannot do what he did. We have to maintain decorum," he said.
The five priests who participated in the meeting were Vedanti, Nandgarh, Jathedar Iqbal Singh of Takht Patna Sahab (Patna), Jathedar Tarlochan Singh of Keshgarh Sahab (Anandpur Sahab) and head Granthi of Takht Hazoor Sahab (Nanded, Maharashtra).
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