The Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh found himself in the midst of a major controversy in May 2007 when he was accused of hurting the religious sentiments of Sikhs.
Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda sect, whose chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was pardoned by the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs the Akal Takht, today asked its followers to withdraw criminal cases lodged against Sikhs.
The Dera today also expressed gratitude to Jathedar Akal Takht and the other Takht Jathedars for the decision to pardon the Dera chief of blasphemy charges, three days ago.
The Dera in a statement thanked the Akal Takht and Sikh high priests for their verdict and showing magnanimity which paved the way for ending misunderstanding and bitterness between the Sikhs and sect followers.
The sect also issued a direction to sect followers to maintain brotherhood and asked them to withdraw all cases filed against the Sikhs during eight years long confrontation between the community and the followers.
In the statement, Dera chief spokesperson Aditya Insan expressed profound respect for the tenth Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh and said nothing has ever been done to denigrate the Guru nor could this ever be done.
Seeking to put behind a bitter row between them, the Akal Takht on September 24 said it had pardoned Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, who was accused of hurting the sentiments of Sikhs, following a letter of apology from him.
However, several Sikh organisations like All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF), Bhai Mohkam Singh's United Akali Dal and Dal Khalsa expressed displeasure over the move and registered their protest against the decision.
Meanwhile, Representatives of All India Sikh Student Federation, Dam Dami Taksal, Akali Dal (Delhi), United Akali Dal today met in Amritsar under the leadership of Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) president Simranji Singh Mann and called for a Punjab bandh on September 30 in protest against the decision of Akal Takht to pardon Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.
They also announced to call a 'Sarbat Khalsa', an assembly of Sikh masses, to appoint new five Sikh priests by removing the existing ones who took the decision to pardon Dera Sacha Sauda chief.
In 2007, the Dera Sacha Sauda chief was accused by the Sikh clergy of attiring himself as the tenth Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh, during a religious congregation of the sect.
Violent clashes had broken out between Dera followers and Sikhs in parts of Punjab at that time.