The Panj Pyaras said the Jathedars didn't turn up today in the Golden Temple complex, prompting them to demand their resignation.
In an unprecedented development, the five Sikh high priests, Panj Pyaras of the Akal Takht today asked the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to remove the Jathedars of five Takhts (seats of Sikh religion), alleging that they had "created furore and restlessness in the community".
"We have asked the SGPC to terminate the services of the five Jathedars, including Jathedar Akal Takht, Giani Gurbachan Singh, immediately as the Sikh community has no faith in them due to their recent anti-Panthic acts that created furore and restlessness in the community," Satnam Singh, a Panj Pyara, told reporters.
When asked that the SGPC, the apex religious body of the Sikhs, had already suspended the Panj Pyaras (five beloved religious preachers), he said, "The SGPC has suspended their employees and we are here in the capacity of Panj Pyaras, who always remain independent to take any decision in the larger interest of the Sikh community."
On Wednesday, the Panj Pyaras had summoned the Jathedars of five Takhts to explain the pardon given to Dera Sacha Sauda head, Gurmeet Ram Rahim. This had invited their suspension by the SGPC.
The Panj Pyaras said the Jathedars didn't turn up today in the Golden Temple complex, prompting them to demand their resignation.
On September 24, the Akal Takht had pardoned the Sirsa-based sect head for appearing in the attire of Sikh guru Guru Gobind Singh during a religious congregation.
The Dera chief said he never compared himself with any spiritual guru or saint and hence could not dare to copy the personality of a saint.
The Sikh community, hardliners, and various other outfits were upset at the Akal Takht's move pardoning the Dera chief without him making a personal appearance before the temporal seat of the Sikhs.
As per Sikh rituals and norms, any guilty person cannot be pardoned unless he physically appears before the Takht, say sources.