Amritsar: Acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, on Monday asked Punjab cabinet minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond to appoint a Gursikh and an officer well-versed in Sikh tenets in his department to prevent any mistakes related to Sikh religion in the future.
Sond appeared before Sri Akal Takht Sahib to submit his clarification after he was summoned over alleged violation of Sikh maryada following the installation of certain photographs at the Bhai Jaita Ji Museum. He submitted a written clarification on behalf of himself and his department to the acting Jathedar.
After meeting Giani Gargajj, Sond told the media that during earlier events, including the celebrations marking the martyrdom centenary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib, a committee of Sikh scholars had been formed and programmes were organised as per their suggestions.
Earlier, the minister reached Heritage Street and walked barefoot to Sri Harmandir Sahib, where he paid obeisance. He also bowed at Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
During the proceedings, Chief Khalsa Diwan president and AAP MLA Dr Inderbir Singh Nijjar also submitted a clarification to the acting Jathedar. He said the Jathedar had asked him to encourage all members of the Diwan to become Amritdhari. The Diwan had been asked to provide a list of Amritdhari and non-Amritdhari members.
Sond said he appeared before Akal Takht as a humble Sikh. He was advised to ensure the appointment of an officer with proper knowledge of Sikh principles in his department. The minister said he would appeal to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to make such an appointment, adding that the chief minister had earlier instructed him to ensure strict adherence to maryada.
Notably, on December 28, a meeting of the five Sikh high priests had summoned Sond for January 5 seeking an explanation over the presentation of photographs at the Bhai Jivan Singh (Bhai Jaita Ji) memorial in Anandpur Sahib, which were alleged to be against Sikh principles, maryada and sentiments.
