Sgpc To Probe ‘Forcible Baptism’ Of Students

[Azaad]

Taking serious note of “forcible baptism” of school students at Dera Sacha Sauda, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) today announced that it would constitute a three-member committee to probe the matter.

Talking to The Tribune, SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar said a three-member panel led by the SGPC member from Mansa, Mohan Singh Bangi, would look into the matter and submit a report.

As many as 49 students of Gobind Singh Adarsh Senior Secondary School at Sahnewala village in Mansa district were reportedly taken to Dera Sacha Sauda on February 19. They were allegedly made to drink “Jaam-e-Insan” at the dera, symbolising their “conversion”.

Makkar said the SGPC would file a police complaint if the report corroborated the charges against the school authorities.

Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh demanded stringent action against the school management, maintaining that a police case should be registered in this regard.

Former SGPC secretary Manjit Singh Calcutta also demanded that a police case be registered against the school management. He said the school should be boycotted by one and all.

“An apology from the school principal will not suffice and a case should be registered against her,” he said, emphasising that the Akal Takht had issued an edict directing the Sikhs not to keep any ties with the controversial dera.

“However, with the Shiromani Akali Dal turning a blind eye, the emboldened school authorities had the audacity to forcibly take the students to the dera,” he remarked.

A Dal Khalsa leader said the principal should be removed from the post and a case be registered against her for hurting the religious sentiments of Sikhs in general and the students' parents in particular.

He said the state government should issue a circular, prohibiting school principals/teachers from taking the students to any dera.

An Akal Takht edict in 2007 had asked the Sikhs to sever all ties with Dera Sacha Sauda. The edict was issued when the dera head did not appear before the Akal Takht. He had been summoned for the “sacrilegious act of dressing up like the Tenth Sikh Guru.”