Amritsar: In a surprise move five Sikh Jathedars to day announce to pardon controversial dera Sauda Sirsa chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim for his 2007 blasphemous attempt to personify himself as Guru Gobind Singh Ji. An announced meeting of five Sikh jathedars was reportedly called today at Akal Takhat secretariat in Amritsar.
Akal Takhat Jatehdar Giani Gurbachan Singh said that they have accepted a clarification sent by Gurmeet Ram Rahim in wake of the fact that the controversy was leading to “cracks in families and communal unity”.
Also Read: Copy of Press Note by Sikh Jatehdars announcing pardon for Gurmeet Ram Rahim
However a bare reading of the so-called apology letter makes it clear that the controversial dera chief has not admitted to his guilt, leave aside the question of being apologetic for the same. In this typed letter in Gurmukhi, photo copies of which were distributed to the reporters by officials of Akal Takhat Sahib secretariat today, dera chief kept on saying that he did not commit any blasphemous act and never attempted to disrespect Sikh Gurus. The only two words which may be taken to claim that it was an apology were (Khima Da Jachak i.e. apology seeker) written at the end of the letter where the dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim has purportedly signed. It is notable that as against Dera Sauda Sirsa regular press releases, letters etc. that are written in Hindi, this letter was written in Gurmukhi.
A copy of the so-called apology letter reads as follows: