SGPC to bring dera Sikhs back into fold: Longowal

Amritsar, December 5
Newly elected SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal said here today that efforts would be made to bring back “disillusioned”Sikhs who had shifted loyalties to Dera Sacha Sauda.
Expressing concern over the fallout of the clergy’s flip-flop on exonerating dera head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, he said: “Various controversies, especially the dera episode, have led to resentment among Sikhs. Our endeavour would be to win over the disgruntled people and bring them back to the mainstream. We are meeting representatives of Sant Samaj and other organisations to know their opinion.”
Longowal today visited Damdami Taksal headquarters at Chowk Mehta for the first time after assuming charge. He held a closed-door meeting with Taksal head Giani Harnam Singh Khalsa. Longowal said the purpose of his visit was to keep Damdami Taksal, Sant Samaj and other organisations in the loop on key Panthic issues.
After taking over as the president, Longowal had stated that he would try to end the standoff between Khalsa and preacher Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale.
Khalsa assured him support in the interests of the Panth. He suggested that the SGPC should take up the early release of Sikh political prisoners languishing in jails despite the completion of their sentence; seek punishment for those responsible for violating human rights post 1980 by killing innocent Sikh youth; make efforts at the national level to bring justice to victims of the 1984 riots; and resolve issues pertaining to ‘dharmi faujis’.
Earlier, Longowal paid obeisance at Gurdwara Gurdarshan Parkash and partook of langar. He was also presented a ‘siropa’ (robe of honour) by Khalsa.
Others present included SGPC general secretary Gurbachan Singh Karmuwal, executive member Bhagwant Singh Sialka, Sant Gurmeet Singh Trilokewale, Sajjan Singh Baijuman, former Akal Takht Jathedar Bhai Jasbir Singh Rode and SGPC member Charanjit Singh Jassowal.