Ambala, Haryana (“Ambala mayor Ramesh Mal comparing local MLA Venod Sharma with the 10th Sikh [Guru], Guru Gobind Singh [Ji], has triggered a controversy with Sikhs taking offence at the disrespect shown to the founder of Khalsa Panth. They have now decided to raise the issue before the Akal Takht” reads a Times of India (TOI) news.
According to TOI Ramesh Mal’s remarks, made during a public meeting at Bhartia Colony here on Friday (November 8, 2013), may spell trouble for the MLA and Congress party, who are working hard to make the Sunday’s Gohana rally a crowd-puller.
“I am a follower of Khalsa Panth and had no intention of hurting anybody. Still, I tender my apology,” Ramesh Mal reportedly told mediapersons later.
As per media reports Ramesh Mal’s political secretary Inderjeet Singh added, “He neither compared the Guru with anybody nor have any such intension. We’ve already tendered an apology for the same.”
As per TOI a Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) member from Ambala, Harpal Singh Pali said he would take up the issue with Akal Takht.
“We have seen the video and it clearly suggests that Ramesh Mal disrespected the Guru Sahib and the Panth. We have called a meeting tomorrow and plan to take criminal action against him. A final decision shall be taken during the meeting of sangat” Harpal Singh added.
“We don’t blame the MLA for this. But yes, the mayor has to face action for his remarks” he added.