Vienna Incident: A Deep Rooted RSS and GOI Controversy? - Part II
Badal Government to Organize Statewide Funeral for the Slain Leader
AMRITSAR SAHIB (KP)--In a surprising statement, Parkash Badal announced that a large scale funeral will be organized for the slain leader of the Ravidasia sect. In addition, Badal has announced that a special charter plane will be dispatched to Austria at the expense of the Government to bring back the body of Ramanand Dass to Dera Sachkhand based in Ballan, Jalandhar.
According to Parkash Badal’s Media Advisor, Harcharan Bains, these arrangements are being made to pay homage to the life of ‘Sant Ramanand’. Ramanand was shot dead after he was allegedly found guilty of causing sacrilege in presence of Guru Granth Sahib.
Although the State of Punjab has witnessed damage ranging in the millions, the Badal Government has announced compensation of Rs. 500,000 for each of the three rioters killed during the protests.
At a meeting held in Jalandhar, leaders of various Sikh organizations alleged that after winning support of Sacha Sauda, Naamdharis and Noormehal, Badal was now eyeing the Dalit community to invest in their support. It should be noted that all seats won by Badal were due to the support alleged by various dehdhari Gurudoms and cults.
Personal Visit to Dera Ballan by SAD (B) President
Despite having lost a majority in the recent elections, Badal is still not willing to let any opportunity be missed. In addition to making announcements to please the Bhagat Ravidas community, both Parkash and Sukhbir Badal visited Dera Sachkhand personally and condemned the killing of Ramanand.
The Badals also held a closed door meeting with the dera leadership where he promised to seek the release of all members of the Ravidas Community who were arrested in the Vienna clash. Badal titled the killing as an act of cowardice and gratified the Ballan Dera leadership.
Badal Causes Further Sacrilege at Akal Takht Sahib
Parkash Badal sitting on a chair in the presence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji
(Enlarged view)
Parkash Badal, Sukhbir Badal, along with his BJP companions, organized an Akhand Paath in room 10 behind Sri Akal Takht Sahib, at Sri Darbar Sahib complex, on behalf of Niranjan Daas, the Ravidasi leader who was injured at the Vienna Ravidas Sabha Mandir in Austria last weekend. Badal also told the press that he spoke with the injured Niranjan Daas and expressed his condolences for the Vienna events.
The Akhand Paath was initiated with an Ardas by Giani Dharam Singh, and started by Sri Darbar Sahib Head Granthi, Giani Jaswinder Singh. Various members of the RSS linked BJP were present at the Akhand Paath, including the controversial Navjot Sidhu. The senior Badal himself, sat above the sangat at the same level of the Manji Sahib of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, which itself is a serious violation of the Sikh Rahit Maryada.
Meanwhile, details are emerging that allege controversial comments made against Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji could have triggered the events in Vienna. Both Nand and Daas have allegedly made comments in other European countries questioning the need for Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji at Ravidas Mandirs, but this could not be confirmed by Khalsa Press.
The quick decision by Badal & Co. to hold an Akhand Paath for an individual who has allegedly criticized Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is not surprising. Since the 1970’s Parkash Badal has had close relationships with the psuedo-Nirankaris and the Naamdharis when they were also openly questioning the validity of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
Criticism from Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh
Panthic Jathedar, Bhai Ranjit Singh, also criticized Parkash Badal for organizing the Akhand Paath Sahib and sitting on a chair while bani was being read. Bhai Sahib alleged that Badal had crossed all limits during the incident and this was an unpardonable act. Jathedar Ranjit Singh also alleged that Navjot Sidhu, a comic, was responsible for degrading the image of Sikhs.
