A section of Sikh leaders are unhappy over the pardoning of Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh by Akal Takht.
A section of Sikh leaders are unhappy over the pardoning of the chief of Dera Sacha Sauda, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh by Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of the Sikh religion, calling the move politically motivated as well as a betrayal with their community.
"This decision has hurt the principles of Akal Takht and it is a betrayal with the Sikh community," former Akal Takht Jathedar, Joginder Singh Vedanti said on Friday.
As Akal Takht Jathedar in 2007, Mr Vedanti had issued the 'Hukamnama' (edict) against the Dera chief for attiring himself as the tenth Sikh Guru Gobind Singh.
The leaders also said that the letter of apology given by Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh should have been made public before taking any decision with regard to pardoning the Dera chief based in Sirsa district of Haryana.
Making a case for representatives of all Sikh organizations, scholars and intellectuals to be consulted before taking the decision, just like it was done in 2007, Mr Vedanti said, "Representatives of Sikh organisations should have been called at Akal Takht and taken into confidence before announcing the decision... The letter of apology should be made public to let people know about its contents."
Former General Secretary of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee (SGPC), Kiranjot Kaur also criticized the decision to exonerate Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.
"It is the first time in Sikh history that a man without presenting himself at Akal Takht and who has not sought an apology, has been pardoned. He (Dera head) has only given his clarification," he said.
Meanwhile, various other Sikh organisations like All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF), Bhai Mohkam Singh's United Akali Dal and Dal Khalsa, registered their protest against the decision.
"It is most unfortunate that Sikh clergy took this decision against the wishes of Sikhs," the organizations said.
On Thursday, Jathedar of the Akal Takht, Giani Gurbachan Singh had announced pardoning Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, who had been at loggerheads with the Sikh community for allegedly hurting their sentiments by appearing in a dress like tenth Sikh Master Guru Gobind Singh in Sirsa, Haryana in 2007.