Makkar to take 'final call' on Panj Pyaras suspension

SGPC executive committee today authorised its President Avtar Singh Makkar to take a final call on the suspension of the five 'Panj Pyaras' after they courted controversy by summoning top Sikh clergy over the issue of pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim.
After a marathon meeting of the Executive Committee of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee (SGPC) here today, considered to be a mini-parliament of Sikh community, Makkar said, "The Committee has authosied him to take a final call on Panj Pyaras (five beloved religious preachers)."
The Panj Pyaras have also been asked to explain their conduct by tomorrow, he said.

Top Sikh clergy was at loggerheads over the issue of pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim, with five high priests including the Jathedar Akal Takht Giani Gurbachan Singh being summoned by the 'Panj Pyaras', inviting their suspension by the SGPC yesterday.
However, sources said that majority of the SGPC executive members were opposed to the suspension of Panj Pyaras by Makkar though no body came on record.
The SGPC President maintained today that he was concerned of the people's anger and demanded that action must be taken against the police officials responsible for killing of two Sikh protesters in Behbal Kalan village in Faridkot.

Regarding the arrests of some persons in the cases of sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib, he urged the government not to harass innocents.
In an unprecedented move, the 'Panj Pyaras' -- Bhai Satnam Singh, Bhai Mangal Singh, Bhai Major Singh, Bhai Satnam Singh and Bhai Tarlok Singh -- passed the 'Gurmata' (edict) at a meeting to summon the Jathedars of five Takhts (seats of sikh religion) to explain the pardon given to Ram Rahim.
Besides Giani Gurbachan Singh, the summons were issued for Giani Iqbal Singh, Jathedar of Takht Patna Sahib, Giani Mal Singh, Jathedar of Takht Kesgarh Sahib, Giani Gurmukh Singh, Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib and Giani Ram Singh Dhoopia, of Takht Hazoor Sahib, Nanded.