Sikh organisations call for Punjab bandh on Sep 30

Some Sikh organisations today called for a Punjab bandh on September 30 in protest against the decision of Akal Takht to pardon Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.
Representatives of All India Sikh Student Federation, Dam Dami Taksal, Akali Dal (Delhi), United Akali Dal took part in the meeting here which was held under the leadership of Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) president Simranji Singh Mann.
Addressing media persons, Mann said Punjab bandh will be observed on September 30 and it would remain effective between 10 am till 2 pm.
During the meeting, Sikh leaders expressed their deep anguish over the decision of Akal Takht to pardon Dera head even as he failed to appear at the highest temporal seat for Sikhs.

They also announced to call a 'Sarbat Khalsa' (assembly of Sikh masses) on Diwali festival to appoint new five Sikh priests by removing the existing ones who took the decision to pardon Dera Sacha Sauda chief.
Mann said a mass gathering of Sikh community will be held on Diwali festival wherein the existing five sikh priests will be removed who "wilfully" under the influence of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal granted the pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda sect Chief and new Sikh priests will be appointed.
Mann said the venue for holding 'Sarbat Khalsa' will be announced in coming days.

All India Sikh Students Federation led by Karnail Singh Peermohammed in Moga said there was a great resentment among Sikh community over this decision and said that it was a "politically motivated" move.