Panj Pyaras demand removal of Jathedars of five Takhts

Amritsar: In an unprecedented development, the Panj Pyaras of the Akal Takht on Friday asked the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to remove the Jathedars of five Takhts (seats of Sikh religion), alleging that they had "created furore and restlessness in the community".

"We have asked the SGPC to terminate the services of the five Jathedars, including Jathedar Akal Takht Giani Gurbachan Singh, immediately as the Sikh community has no faith in them due to their recent anti-Panthic acts that created furore and restlessness in the community," Satnam Singh, a Panj Pyara, told reporters.

When asked that the SGPC, the apex religious body of the Sikhs, had already suspended the Panj Pyaras (five beloved religious preachers), he said, "The SGPC has suspended their employees and we are here in the capacity of Panj Pyaras, who always remain independent to take any decision in the larger interest of the Sikh community."

On Wednesday, the Panj Pyaras had summoned the Jathedars of five Takhts to explain the pardon given to Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim. This had invited their suspension by the SGPC.

The Panj Pyaras said the Jathedars didn't turn up today in the Golden Temple complex, prompting them to demand their resignation.