Tension again erupts between Sikh and Dera followers

NI Wire

Chandigarh

Tue, 24 Jul 2007: 

July 24: At least eight people got injured early in the morning in a clash between supporters of Sikh and Dera Sacha Sauda sect when a Dera follower startediring in the Mallawala village of Sirsa district, Haryana.

Problem started following the objection of Sikh community over Dera followers performing their prayers in open despite administration’s prohibitory directive.

The situation remains tense following the shootout though under control as the local police official said. The injured persons were immediately transferred to the local hospital and the doctors discharged them after conducting basic treatment.

The police after carrying out initial investigation have arrested the culprit with his weapon. The police is also trying to figure out the exact cause of the sudden firing though the tension between Dera and Sikh followers is nothing new after the Dera Chief Sant Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh’s act of imitation of 10 th sikh guru, Guru Govind Singh.

Sant Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh, a couple of months back practiced some rituals that hurt the religious sentiments of Sikh community. Thereafter Sikh termed it as offensive and demanded action against Dera chief which later turned into broaden tension between both the groups.

The Dera chief though had apologized following the demand but the prime Sikh body Akal Takht did not accept it as the apology was not tendered in black and white. After that the Punjab government released a non-bailable arrest warrant against Baba Gurmit Ram.

Few days back some Sikh followers had also attacked the vehicle carrying Dera chief while he was returning from a satsang. Also amid pressure from Sikh leaders to leave the sect two Dera followers set themselves fire and had a suicide attempt. With these kinds of incidents the conflict is only escalating day by day without moving towards a solution as both the communities stand firm in their position.