Book row: SAD to launch 48-hour sit-in against govt by 'denigrating' Sikh gurus

The SAD Wednesday announced to launch a 48-hour-long sit-in against the Punjab government for allegedly hurting the sentiments of the Sikh community by "denigrating" the Sikh gurus in the newly brought out Class 12 history book of the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB).

The "struggle" will commence by performing 'Ardas' at Akal Takht Thursday morning in Amritsar, the Shiromani Akali Dal said in a statement here.

SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal would participate in the protest for the first 24 hours, while Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) chief Gobind Singh Longowal will take part in the sit-in for the next 24 hours, it said.

The SAD has been seeking an apology from the Punjab government as the history book contained "derogatory" references to the Sikh gurus.

"The new book of history contained distorted facts about Sikh gurus who were presented in a negative way and insulting words had been used against them," it has alleged.

However, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had already directed the PSEB to continue with the existing history textbooks of the year 2017-18 for Classes 10 and 12 pending completion of the review by the expert group.

The SAD has also been demanding registration of an FIR against the authors of the book.