March by religious preachers, hardliners halted in Punjab

A march by several religious preachers and hardliners, seeking removal of Jathedars from five Takhts, were today prevented by police from heading towards Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal's residence here.
The 'Panthic' march was stopped at Mohali by Punjab Police, officials said here.
Preachers and hardliners, including Ranjit Singh Dhaddrianwale, Panthpreet Singh, Baljit Singh Daduwal, Karnail Singh Peermohammad and Sikhs, were marching towards the CM's residence to seek removal of the five Jathedars.
They demanded immediate removal of five high priests, including Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh.
Amid growing unrest over the incidents of sacrilege in the state, the protesters reiterated their demand to arrest the "real culprits" behind sacrilege act.

The religious crisis in Punjab continues, with the Panj Pyaras (five beloved of the Guru) and the Jathedars failing to resolve the conflict over the pardon to Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) executive in a meeting held at Chandigarh on October 22 had authorised its President Avtar Singh Makkar to take a final call regarding the suspension of Panj Pyaras.
SGPC on Octover 25 reinstated Panj Pyaras who were suspended by Makkar for summoning the Jathedars of five Takhts including Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh on On October 21.