Akal Takht Jathedar Summons SAD Chief over 2015 Sacrilege Incidents

Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh has summoned SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal to provide a written explanation regarding the 2015 firing on protestors during the desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib. Rebel SAD leaders had apologized for past mistakes including pardoning Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.

Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh on Monday called upon SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal to submit a written explanation over allegations related to the 2015 firing on protesters against the desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib.

Rebel Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders had approached the jathedar on July 1, apologizing for mistakes during their party's tenure from 2007 to 2017.

The jathedar has given Badal 15 days to explain accusations, while also seeking clarification from the SGPC on allegations of spending Rs 90 lakh on advertisements. Rebel leaders praised the jathedar's decision, with Gurpartap Singh Wadala stating that the Sikh community expects a fair decision based on Sikh tenets.

Rebel leaders had previously appeared at the Akal Takht secretariat in Amritsar to apologize for failing to punish those responsible for the 2015 sacrilege incidents and for pardoning Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in a 2007 blasphemy case.