In first appearance since pardon row, Akal Takht Jathedar attends Ardas Diwas

Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh (extreme left) inside the Golden Temple Complex in Amritsar on
Monday. (Express Photo by Rana Simranjit Singh )

AKAL TAKHT Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh Monday attended an ‘Ardas Diwas’ function in remembrance of Sikhs killed in the 1984 riots — his first public appearance after the row over pardon to dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.

Radical outfits Dal Khalsa and Panch Pardhani, which organised a rally and protest Monday, announced that they would not allow Giani Gurbachan Singh to address the community from the Akal Takht this Diwali, which is celebrated as ‘Bandi Chorr Divas’ by Sikhs. Youths stood in queue with placards and flags
for nearly two hours at Bhandari Bridge and then marched towards Akal Takht to perform ardas.

Radical leaders, including Harpal Singh Cheema and Kanwarpal Singh, urged youths and the Sikh Sangat to reach Darbar Sahib in large numbers on Bandi Chorr Divas and not to allow Gurbachan Singh to addressing the community.

“The responsibility would rest on the shoulders of you (youths) to perform your panthic duty without fear,” said Harpal Singh Cheema.