Sikhs protest against Dera Sacha Sauda in Nawanshehar

NAWANSHEHAR: Nearly 250 Sikh protesters belonging to different Sikh organisations including Dal Khalsa, Sikh International Khalsa Panchayat, SAD(A), SAD 1920, SSF (Grewal), Kalgidhar Sewak Jatha Kahma and SGPC member Gubakhash Singh Khalsa staged a demonstration here today at Chandigarh Chowk.

They were protesting against the Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh for hurting the religious sentiments of the community by trying to ape the 10th Sikh Guru Gobind Singh.

Earlier, the protesters held detailed deliberations over the issue at Gurudwara Singh Sabha for over 2 hours and passed various resolutions. As per the copy given to the media, the Sikh Sangat while severely condemning the Dera's chief alleged attempt to denigrate the Sikh traditions, urged the Akal Takht Chief to issue an edict against the Dera on the pattern of the edict issued against the Nirankaris in 1978 during the panthic meeting to be held tomorrow at Takht Damadama Sahib. The Takht Jathedar was also urged to take steps to get the activities of the Dera Sacha Sauda banned.

He was also urged to call the Dera chief at the Akal Takht to seek an apology from him. In case of failure on his part to do so, the "Khalsa should be allowed to fulfill its duty as per the Sikh traditions", said a resolution.

Meanwhile, in order to prevent any untoward incident or clash a large police force headed by SSP B.Chander Shekhar himself remained present outside the Gurudwara till all the protesters went away to their respective destinations.