AMRITSAR: The officiating Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj, has summoned Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann to seem at its secretariat on Jan 15 over alleged “anti-Sikh remarks”, “objectionable conduct”, and a not too long ago surfaced video that the Takht says deeply damage Sikh sentiments.Mann posted on X that he would seem earlier than Sri Akal Takht Sahib as a “humble and religious Sikh as an alternative of a chief minister”. “Any command from Sri Akal Takht Sahib Ji is accepted with full reverence and can be obeyed. I’ll stroll barefoot earlier than Sri Akal Takht Sahib,” he mentioned.Mann mentioned although the President is visiting Guru Nanak Dev College in Amritsar on Jan 15, he would nonetheless obey the Takht summons. “For me, Sri Akal Takht Sahib Ji is above every part. The command acquired from the sacred Takht is, was, and can at all times be supreme to me and my household,” he mentioned. Jathedar Gargajj mentioned the CM, regardless of holding a excessive constitutional workplace, repeatedly made statements that challenged “Sikh Rehat Maryada (code of non secular conduct)”, supremacy of Akal Takht, and sanctity of Guru Ki Golak. “These feedback replicate a vanity of energy and an anti-Sikh mindset,” Gargajj alleged.Clarifying why the CM was not summoned to seem on the facade (Fasil) of Akal Takht, the jathedar mentioned that Bhagwant Mann is a “patit (apostate)” and, in accordance with Sikh custom, can’t be summoned to seem at Fasil. “Due to this fact, he was summoned to personally seem on the secretariat of Akal Takht at 10am on Jan 15 to submit his clarification,” Gargajj mentioned.Jathedar Gargajj mentioned a controversial video that had not too long ago surfaced can be subjected to forensic examination and, if discovered genuine, strict Panthic motion would observe.Mann received assist from fairly sudden quarters. BJP criticised the Akal Takht summons, with social gathering Punjab spokesperson Sarchand Singh calling it a “well-orchestrated train” to defend senior Shiromani Akali Dal leaders and those that are dealing with arrest over the 328 lacking sacred saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Invoking “spiritual defiance” was a tactic to exert strain on the CM and impede the SIT investigation, he mentioned. He mentioned there isn’t any Panthic custom of summoning a ‘patit’ Sikh even on the Akal Takht secretariat.
