Sevadars objected to the identity cards, citing Akal Takht Sahib’s declaration against the Punjab Chief Minister

Chandigarh, 04 July (H.S.): A controversy erupted at Darbar Sahib in Amritsar on Saturday after devotees arriving from several cities of Punjab under the Mukhyamantri Tirth Yatra Yojana were allegedly stopped for wearing identity cards carrying the photograph of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

According to reports, sevadars and members of the task force objected to the ID cards worn around the necks of the pilgrims. They argued that Sri Akal Takht Sahib had declared Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann as “Panth Dokhi” and “Guru Virodhi”, and therefore devotees should not enter the Guru Ghar wearing identity cards displaying his photograph.

Following the objection, the sevadars asked the devotees to remove the identity cards before proceeding for darshan. The pilgrims complied and removed the cards from their necks.

Devotees who were part of the pilgrimage said the identity cards had been issued to them under the government arrangement only for identification purposes during the journey. They said their only intention was to pay obeisance at Sri Harmandir Sahib and have darshan.

Sri Akal Takht Sahib had, on June 15, declared Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann as “Panth Dokhi” and “Guru Virodhi”. The decision was announced by Akal Takht Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargaj from the Akal Takht Secretariat inside the Golden Temple complex. The decision was linked to the Chief Minister’s alleged controversial viral video.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH