Sikh organisations have criticised the decision of Akal Takht to pardon Dera Sacha Sauda chief.
Amidst strong objection by Sikh leaders to the pardon granted to Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh by the Sikh faith's highest temporal seat, the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) today urged the community to accept the decision, saying that the Akal Takht's supremacy cannot be challenged.
"As Sikhs, we cannot challenge the supremacy of Akal Takht. When five Sikh priests at Akal Takht take any decision, every Sikh has to abide by it. I urge the Sikh community that we should accept the Akal Takht decision," SGPC President, Avtar Singh Makkar said today.
Seeking to put behind a bitter row, the Akal Takht had on September 24 said it has pardoned the Dera chief following a letter of apology from him. He is accused of hurting the sentiments of Sikhs by attiring himself as the tenth Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh.
Sikh organisations like the All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF), Bhai Mohkam Singh's United Akali Dal and Dal Khalsa, too, have criticised the decision to pardon him.
Many Sikh leaders have also charged that the move was "politically motivated". Sikh leaders have further claimed that the 'Hukamnama' issued in 2007 cannot be cancelled or amended.
SGPC General Secretary, Sukhdev Singh Bhaur expressed displeasure over the Akal Takht decision.
"I do not know what they (Sikh clergy) were thinking while taking the decision to pardon (Dera head). Several lives were lost and several people went to jail to implement the Hukamnama (edict) issued in 2007," said Mr Bhaur.
The Dera Sacha Sauda chief was in 2007 accused by the Sikh clergy of attiring himself as the tenth Sikh Guru during a religious congregation of the sect. Violent clashes had broken out between Dera followers and Sikhs in parts of Punjab at that time.