Close X
Monday, November 25, 2024
ADVT 
National

Akal Takht Pardons Dera Sacha Sauda Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh

Darpan News Desk, 24 Sep, 2015 11:34 AM
    The Akal Takht -- the highest temporal seat of the Sikh religion -- on Thursday said it has pardoned Dera Sacha Sauda sect chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh following a written apology from him.
     
    Akal Takht jathedar (chief) Gurbachan Singh told media persons here that the sect chief wrote an apology letter to the Akal Takht in which he said he had no intention to show disrespect to the Sikh Gurus or hurt the religious sentiments of the Sikh community.
     
    The Akal Takht head said the sect chief was asked to refrain from any actions in future which could hurt religious sentiments of Sikhs.
     
    The apology and the pardon brings to an end a bitter chapter, lasting for over eight years, of strained relations between the Sikh clergy and the Sikh community on one side, and the sect chief and his followers on the other.
     
    The Dera head found himself in the midst of a major controversy in May 2007 when he was accused of hurting the religious sentiments of Sikhs.
     
    Sikh organisations accused Gurmeet Ram Rahim of wearing an attire in an advertisement, resembling the tenth Sikh Guru Gobind Singh.
     
    The controversy led to violent clashes between Sikhs and the sect followers.
     
    The sect chief, who has millions of followers in Punjab and Haryana, was booked by Punjab Police under various criminal sections.
     
    The sect chief stays in a sprawling campus near Sirsa town in Haryana, 275 km from state capital Chandigarh.
     
    Following the clashes, the sect chief had initially offered to hold talks with Sikh leaders but he was asked to first apologise for his actions.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Supreme Court Won't Hear Case Of Quebec Man Who Loves To Feed Squirrels

    Supreme Court Won't Hear Case Of Quebec Man Who Loves To Feed Squirrels
    OTTAWA — The Supreme Court will not hear the case of a Montreal man with a passion for feeding squirrels and other wildlife.

    Supreme Court Won't Hear Case Of Quebec Man Who Loves To Feed Squirrels

    Canada's Mayors Call On Federal Parties To Make Housing A Campaign Issue

    The mayors of some of Canada's largest cities have called on federal parties to make commitments to affordable housing.

    Canada's Mayors Call On Federal Parties To Make Housing A Campaign Issue

    B.C. New Democrat Leader John Horgan Vows Partnership With Cities At Conference

    John Horgan spoke to hundreds of local politicians from across the province gathered at the annual Union of B.C. Municipalities conference.

    B.C. New Democrat Leader John Horgan Vows Partnership With Cities At Conference

    What Recession? Joe Oliver Says Canada Was Not In Downturn Earlier This Year

    Finance Minister Joe Oliver says the country was not in a recession in the first half of the year despite economic data to the contrary.

    What Recession? Joe Oliver Says Canada Was Not In Downturn Earlier This Year

    Suspect In Murders Of Alberta Father And Daughter Has Case Put Over One Week

    Suspect In Murders Of Alberta Father And Daughter Has Case Put Over One Week
    Derek James Saretzky didn't even appear in a Lethbridge court as the matter was quickly adjourned to Sept. 30. 

    Suspect In Murders Of Alberta Father And Daughter Has Case Put Over One Week

    Coroners Inquest Called Into Fatal Police Shooting Outside B.C. Casino

    Coroners Inquest Called Into Fatal Police Shooting Outside B.C. Casino
    A coroners' inquest has been called into the death of a 48-year-old man who was shot by police during an armed standoff outside a casino in New Westminster, B.C.

    Coroners Inquest Called Into Fatal Police Shooting Outside B.C. Casino