Chandigarh: Various Sikh diaspora organisations have expressed their opposition to five Singh Sahibs’ decision to grant “pardon” to controversial dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim for his 2007 blasphemous act (more details). Notably, newly formed United States unit of Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) has backed jathedars on this issue as against overwhelming opposition from wider Sikh diaspora circles.
Expressing their resentment to the controversial move by Sikh jatehdars, the management committee of Gurdwara Sri Guru Ramdas Niwas, Chiampo (Vicenza, Italy) and representatives of Gurdwara Guru Nanak Mission Sewa Society, San Bonifacio (Italy) said that the move to grant pardon to dera chief was politically motivated and Jatehdars have ignored feelings of the Sikh sangat.
Various Sikh organisation of BC (Canada) held a meeting to discuss the issue of pardoning dera chief. The meeting was reportedly attended by representatives of Khalsa Diwan Society (West Minister), Gurduara Dukhdiwaran Sahib (Surrey), Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Sahib (Surrey), Gurdwara Dashmesh Darbar (Surrey), Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Society (Abbotsford) besides other Sikh organizations. Sikh representatives asked the Jathedars to take back their decision and said that if the persons holding historic and respected positions of Sikh jatehdars fail to take back their decision the Sikh diaspora of BC would be compelled to boycott them.
Similarly representatives of various Sikh organizations of New Zealand held a meeting and resolved to oppose Jathedars’ move to grant pardon to dera head Gurmeet Ram Rahim. They appealed to the Sikh sangat to keep boycotting controversial dera head who had indulged into blasphemy in 2007.
Australian Sikh organizations also held a meeting to discuss the situation after Jathedars’ decision to pardon dera sauda head. Sikh Federation of Australia, Australian Sikh Association and Sri Guru Singh Sabha criticised jathedars for allegedly working under political pressure of Punjab’s ruling party. These bodies passed a resolution to boycott persons who were responsible for the controversial move.