Gurudwara demolition: Dera issues apology

He added: “The last few days have seen a build up of tension due to some misunderstandings. We would like to make it clear that Radha Swami Satsang Beas holds the revered 10 Sikh Gurus and the Holy Sri Guru Granth Sahibji in highest esteem. Inadvertently,if any action of ours has hurt the sentiments of our brothers and sisters,we extend our sincere apologies.”

“Our philosophy is based on love,which binds the different communities in the name of one Almighty Lord and therefore,it is out of question that we will at any time,consciously or unconsciously,try to harm or hurt the feelings of any person or community. Whatever happened was with the best of intentions and keeping in mind the proper decorum and maryada,” the statement added.

Tension had mounted in the village last week after it was learnt that the panchayat sold a piece of land to the dera. Following this,the dera followers allegedly demolished a section of the gurdwara built on that land. Heavy police force was deployed in the area to avoid any untoward incident.

Following the incident,Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh urged the Sikh community to maintain peace and also directed the SGPC to form a three-member committee to probe the contradictory claims of the Sikh community and the dera followers. A meeting of the five Sikh head priests was held to discuss the issue and a three-member committee constituted to conduct the probe.

On Wednesday,SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar had said that the probe had concluded that no disrespect was shown to Guru Granth Sahib at Warraich. Saying that it was a matter between the village panchayat and the local gurdwara committee,he had said that the report will be submitted to the Akal Takht Jathedar.