Three people were injured in a clash between the supporters of parallel Jathedars and Task Force of SGPC on Thursday, outside Golden Temple here.
This incident took place after the parallel Jathedars summoned Johar Singh, president of local managing committee of Gurudwara Chhota Ghalughara in connection to an old case. Tension prevailed when SGPC Task Force brought Johar Singh for the same.
Manager Darbar Sahib Sulakhan Singh said that the supporters of the parellel Jathedars tried to violate the rules and were responsible for the ruckus.
People were also seen carrying sword.
#WATCH: 3 injured in a clash b/w supporters of parallel Jathedars & Task Force of SGPC outside Golden Temple in Amritsar; swords also seen. pic.twitter.com/n6s0T1Yvt1
— ANI (@ANI) October 12, 2017
The situation was brought under control with the timely intervention of the police.
‘Acting jathedar’ Dhyan Singh Mand held SGPC chief Kirpal Singh Badungar, secretary, and manager, Golden Temple, responsible for the incident and demanded that they be booked on attempt-to-murder charges.
On the other hand, SGPC secretary Roop Singh said it was an unfortunate incident which had vitiated the atmosphere at the shrine. He said two SGPC task force men and additional secretary Vijay Singh had received injuries. He demanded the registration of a case against the supporters of parallel jathedars.
Meanwhile, Johar Singh accused the SGPC employees of manhandling him. “I was sitting inside the Akal Takht and was reciting hymns, but the SGPC employees forced me out to ensure that I don’t appear before the jathedars,” he said.
Trashing the allegations, Golden Temple manager Sulakhan Singh said the SGPC staff did not use force against anybody. “They did their duty to maintain the sanctity of the Akal Takht,” he said.
Later, the parallel jathedars declared Johar Singh as a “tankhaiya” (guilty of religious misconduct). Besides removing him from the headship the gurdwara management committee of Gurdaspur shrine, the parallel jathedars directed him to listen to kirtan at the Golden Temple sanctum sanctorum, besides cleaning of devotees’ shoes, cleaning utensils at langar for seven days, besides holding an akhand path.
