The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the body responsible for the management of Gurdwaras, has withdrawn the 'Shiromani Patarkar' award bestowed to senior journalist and writer Kuldeep Nayar, for his recent article against radical Sikh leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.
The decision was taken at the executive meeting of the SGPC held at Fatehgarh Sahib.
SGPC chief Kirpal Singh Badungar told reporters that a recent article by Mr. Nayar has hurt Sikh sentiments and hence SGPC has decided to withdraw the title of 'Shiromani Patarkar' from him. It raised serious objection to a comparison between Bhindranwale and Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, who is currently imprisoned in two counts of rape of female followers.
Bhindrawale, the spearhead of the Khalistan movement, was killed during ‘Operation Bluestar’ which Mr. Nayar had covered.
The 'Shiromani Patarkar' award was conferred upon Mr. Nayar in 2006 by the SGPC at a function held to mark the anniversary of the founding of Akal Takht.
Radical Sikh outfit Dal Khalsa had recently staged a protest against Mr. Nayar for his alleged comments against Bhindranwale in his article. Its spokesperson Kanwar Pal Singh told The Hindu that Mr. Nayar had committed blunder by drawing a false and imaginary comparison between Ram Rahim and Bhindrawale.
“The SGPC has rightly withdrawn the title of ‘Shiromani Patarkar’ from him,” he said.
Mr. Singh added, “Mr. Nayar has misused his pen to defame and degrade Mr. Bhindranwale. He [Mr. Nayar] must tender apology to Sikh Panth. Otherwise he would face protests in Punjab whenever he comes.”
