Sikh high priests in Amritsar lift ban on Dhadrianwale's preaching after he expresses regret over controversial remarks
AMRITSAR: Accepting the plea for forgiveness made by Sikh preacher Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale before the five Sikh high priests, they lifted the five-year-old
ban
on his religious congregations during a meeting held on Wednesday. This came after Dhadrianwale expressed regret over his controversial statements regarding
gurmat
(the Gurus' tenets).
A meeting of Sikh high priests, including the officiating Jathedar of
Akal Takht
,
Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj
,
Giani Rajdeep Singh
, Granthi of Sachkhand Sri Harmandar Sahib, Baba Tek Singh, Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Giani Joginder Singh, head granthi of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, and Giani Gurbakhshish Singh, granthi of Akal Takht, was held at the Akal Takht secretariat.
While lifting the ban, the high priests instructed him to strictly adhere to Akal Takht-approved Sikh Rehat Maryada, traditions, and historical Sakhis (orally narrated historical account generally pertaining to times of Sikh Gurus).
It was in 2020 that the Akal Takht had asked the community to maintain distance from Dhadrianwale for misinterpreting 'Gurbani' and rejecting Sikh customs until he tendered an apology.
Dhadrianwale is seen to be a rival of Harnam Singh Dhuma, the head of Sikh seminary Damdami Taksal.
In another decision, the Sikh high priests directed Sant Singh, president of the management committee of Gurdwara Sahib Baba Buddha Ji in Hamilton, Canada, to appear before Akal Takht in the case of the alleged harassment of Parminderpal Kaur, wife of Gurpreet Singh.
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They also directed two patit (apostate) office-bearers—treasurer Kulwinder Singh Multani and secretary Jas Sohal—to submit their clarification in writing.
Former Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president Harvinder Singh Sarna also appeared before the five Sikh high priests and expressed remorse over his inappropriate remarks about Sikh scholars and clergy. His repentance was accepted with the condition that he perform daily recitations of two Japji Sahib and two Chaupai Sahib paths for 11 days and offer "Karah Prasad" worth Rs 501 at Gurdwara Bangla Sahib Delhi upon completion of the sewa, according to the resolution.
Former Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Giani Gurmukh Singh, also sought forgiveness for his role in controversial pardon to Dera Sirsa head Gurmeet Ram Rahim. The Sikh high priests accepted his apology on the condition that he performed daily sewa (voluntary service) of dishwashing at Sri Guru Ramdas Ji Langar and the shoe service for one hour each.
In another resolution, the Sikh high priests held an employee of Gurdwara Sri Rakabganj Sahib, Delhi, guilty of immoral conduct with a female employee and declared him no longer eligible to hold any service in the institution.
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