Amritsar: Sikh activists reportedly opposed the move of the SGPC to facilitate speech of Giani Gurbachan Singh from Darshani Deodi of Darbar Sahib.
It is notable that various Sikh groups had announced that they would not allow Giani Gurbachan Singh to issue a message to the Sikh masses from Akal Takhat Sahib or Darshani Deodi of Darbar Sahib as he was accused of violating Sikh tenets and bringing dishonour to highly respectable post of Akal Takhat Sahib jatehdar.
As per information the Sikh sangat started raising slogans and flagged black flags when Giani Gurbachan Singh began his address from Darshani Deodi of the Darbar Sahib on the eve of Bandi Chhor Divas.
It is notable that Giani Gurbachan Singh was scheduled to address the gathering at around 5 pm but in wake of Sikh organizations’ announcement to oppose his address the SGPC had made undeclared changes in the schedule and Giani Gurbachan Singh started his address at around 3:30 pm.
The situation was reportedly tense at the Akal Takhat Sahib at the time of writing this report and Sikh activists were raising slogans against Giani Gurbachan Singh, who had already left the venue.
The protesters included activists of the Dal Khalsa, Sikh Youth of Punjab (SYP). Shiromani Akali Dal Amritsar (Mann) and Sikh Youth Federation Bhindranwale (SYFB) activists also raised slogans against the SGPC.
It is notable that the police had made heavy security arrangements outside Darbar Sahib complex in wake of announcements by Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), United Akali Dal (UAD) and other Sikh groups that Bhai Dhian Singh Mand would deliver a speech from Akal Takhat Sahib on the occasion of Bandi Chhor Divas. But despite all the arrangements the Sikh activists and leaders of the Shiromani Akali Dal Amritsar (Mann) were able to reach Akal Takhat Sahib.
It is pertinent to mention here that the police conducted a series of arrests in wake of this announcement and S. Simranjeet Singh Mann, Bhai Mohkam Singh and S. Gurdeep Singh Bathinda were arrested by the police this morning.