Rejecting Dera Sacha Sauda’s expression of “regret”, Sikh high priests today called for a Punjab bandh on May 22 in protest against the Dera chief’s “act of blasphemy” by posing in the attire of Guru Gobind Singh.

The priests gave the call for the bandh in a fresh hukamnama after a two-hour meeting at the Akal Takht in the Golden Temple premises, hours after police in Bathinda filed a case against Dera chief Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh for hurting religious sentiments.

Akal Takht Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti told a large gathering of Sikhs that peaceful processions should be taken out on May 22. The priests also asked the Punjab government to ensure that all Deras in the state are closed by May 27. The hukamnama said Sikhs would present a memorandum to the Governors of Punjab and Haryana after taking out a protest march from Fatehgarh Sahib on May 31.

The meeting also decided to submit a memorandum to President, Prime Minister, Union Home Minister and Central officials by May 30 for expediting the CBI probe against the Dera chief in connection with cases of murder and alleged sexual exploitation of women at the Dera headquarters in Sirsa. Vedanti said the future course of action would be reviewed on May 31.

Earlier, Sikhs began gathering at the Takht premises as early as 9 am and heads of various organisations met the Takht jathedars, demanding “severe action” against the Dera chief. Swords were waved menacingly and even pro-Khalistan slogans were raised.

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