Chandigarh, India - The apex Singh Sahibs (clerics) of the Sikh community on Tuesday rejected the apology from the Dera Sacha Sauda and warned its chief Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh against imitating the practices of any faith across the globe.
The announcement came late in the evening after the Singh Sahibs deliberated the letter from the Dera chief that contained an apology to Guru Gobind Singh.
Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti quoted the "Gurbani" (religious scriptures), saying that even the Guru, who was bountiful in pardoning, would not accept anything from a person whose spirit did not reflect a mindset suitable for a religious way of life.
Before taking the decision, the Singh Sahibs met representatives of various Sikh organisations and an all-religion delegation, led by social activist Swami Agnivesh.
Reading out a "Gurmata" (holy resolution) from the ramparts of the Akal Takht in Amritsar, Jathedar Vedanti directed the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to open channels with the Union and State Governments to enact legislation that would prohibit the use of symbols and scriptures of other religions.
The Jathedar urged the community to continue the "Panthic" struggle in a peaceful manner against the Dera. He appealed to all Sikh organisations to expose the dubious activities of the Dera chief, who "misled the innocent public through his gimmicks."
He also called on the SGPC to initiate a major awareness drive to not only counter the spread of the Dera's influence but also to ensure that those Sikhs, who had gone astray, returned to the "Panthic" mainstream.
Boycott to continue
The Jathedar said the previous decisions of the Singh Sahibs on complete boycott of the Dera and its followers would continue.
The SGPC chief would lead a march from Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib to Chandigarh on May 31 and submit memoranda to the Governors of Punjab and Haryana.
Call to form legal panel
The SGPC had been directed to form a panel of legal experts to pursue the cases against the Dera chief.
The Jathedar said that by making a parody of the process of baptising the Khalsa, at a function of his sect in Salabatpura village of Bathinda district about two weeks ago, the Dera chief hurt the sentiments of the community, resulting in protests across the world.
The Takht described the Dera chief ``shrewd and egoistic.''