Amritsar,
Welcoming the court verdict in Dera Sacha Sauda chief’s case, Akal Takht’s sacked ‘Panj Pyaras’ (five beloved ones) questioned the integrity of five Takht heads on the issue of flip-flop on exonerating the dera head.

The Panj Pyaras — Satnam Singh Kanda, Major Singh, Satnam Singh, Tarlok Singh and Mangal Singh — were dismissed from service by the SGPC allegedly for “out-stepping their jurisdiction” by ordering the removal of the Takht heads.

In an unprecedented move, allegedly influenced by persistent pressure from Sikh radicals and other sections of the Sikh community, Akal Takht had to revoke its September 24, 2015, decision to exonerate Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in the 2007 blasphemy case.

Satnam Singh Kanda said, “We have no regrets over our stand. The CBI court had presented an exemplary verdict to punish the Dera Sirsa head, but our Takht heads have damaged the sanctity of Akal Takht by pronouncing the politically influenced decisions.”

While not endorsing the authority of “parallel” jathedars, he said such controversial decisions ended up creating confusion among the Sikh community and they had lost faith in Takht heads.

“The Sikh community is dedicated to Akal Takht, but the controversial decisions confuse them. The nominated Takht heads play in the hands of political leaders, whereas the ‘parallel’ ones seldom enjoy any recognition. The need of the hour is to join the Sikh community with the panth with requisite principles and tenets,” he said.

Tarlok Singh said, “Though we have been dismissed from services, but we have dedicated ourselves to performing our duties of conducting amrit sanchar ceremonies. Till date, we must have performed the ceremony on 5,000 Sikhs,” he said.