IndiaPost.com - Dera chief apologizes to Guru Gobind Singh

SIRSA/AMRITSAR: Raising the possibility of an end to the standoff between Dera Sacha Sauda and Sikhs, the head of Sirsa-based religious sect Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh, accused of blasphemy, has apologized to Sikh Guru Gobind Singh saying he had absolutely no intention to either imitate or replicate him.

In a brief statement to the media soon after expiry of the deadline set by Akal Takht, Sikhs' supreme spiritual and temporal body, for closure of Dera's centers in Punjab, the Dera said it has already expressed regret for the chain of events and "now in the best interest of peace and tranquility the Dera tenders an apology to Guru Gobind Singh". Reacting to the latest gesture by the Dera, the Akal Takht said the Sikh clergy will decide the course of action. "Guruji (Sant Gurmit) says that he can never imitate or replicate the 10th Sikh Guru Gobind Singh", the statement issued in Sirsa, Haryana said.

"We also pray for maintaining peace and brotherhood in Punjab, Haryana, within the country and abroad," the statement said. The statement, coming on the 14th day of the standoff, said the Dera Chief and its followers stand only for unification of humanity. "Guruji (Sant Gurmit) is a humble servant of the entire humanity," the statement added.

Akal Takht Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti told PTI that "the five high Sikh priests will take a decision on the Dera's move". "We have not received the document (media statement by Dera). Moreover, the document is unsigned," Vedanti said adding "first the apology letter must be signed by the Dera head and then a meeting of the Sikh clergy will be convened that will decide the next course of action".

Peace prevailed in Punjab even as the deadline set by the five high priests of Sikhs demanding the closure of all centers of Dera in the state expired. Earlier in the day, Vedanti reiterated his call for social boycott of followers of Dera and asked Sikhs to continue their protest peacefully. Amidst tight security, Dera held parallel congregations at Sirsa and at a Gurdwara in Sangrur in Punjab off peacefully. No violence was reported from any part of the state and the situation was peaceful and under control, Punjab's ADGP (Law and Order) Chandershekar said.

At Sangrur, top Sikh religious leaders attended a prayer meeting held in memory of Kanwaljit Singh, a youth, who was killed in the sectarian strife on May 17. Besides Vedanti, Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib Balwant Singh Nandgarh, SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar and SAD General Secretary Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa paid glowing tributes to the youth on his "Bhog" (10th day ritual) ceremony at Gurdwara Nankiana Sahib. Representatives of Damdami Taksal and All India Sikh Students Federation were also present.