SAN FRANCISCO, California (KP) -- Representatives from several international units of the Akhand Kirtani Jatha raised concern about the increasing interference in internal Jatha affairs by individuals with allegiances to various Akali Political parties and anti-Panthic elements in Punjab.

The Jatha representatives from North America alleged that several suspicious individuals with known links to Punjab state politicians, including the Badal-Makkar SGPC combine, are attempting to meddle in Jatha affairs by unnecessarily interfering in the Jatha’s religious functions and by creating divisions and confusion inside the Jatha leadership. 

“We have ample evidence that the troublemakers are being backed by the Badal regime and other anti-Panthic elements linked to the RSS and the heretic mouthpiece, Rozana Spokesman,” stated Gurpreet Singh, who has been involved in Jatha  affairs for the last two decades.

Gurpreet Singh noted that similar atttempts to interfere in the internal affairs have been made, not only on Akhand Kirtani Jatha, but other religious bodies such as the Damdami Taksal, and recently in the Buddha Dal organization.

“In the last few years, Jatha sevadars from Madhya Pardes, Punjab, and abroad have been fairly vocal about the anti-Sikh activities of the RSS and their counterparts, the Kala-Afghanis, along with their backing by  Badal, Sarna and company,” he added.

Intimidation and Scare Tactics

Recently, individuals from Mohali, Tarn-Taran, and Phagwara areas have been intimidating and targeting the Jatha members in Madhya Pardes, referring to them as “atvaddees” (extremists/terrorists) and have been trying to persuade the Punjab Sangat to not attend any religious functions held there.  Various complaints of intimidation and bullying were reported by Sangat members in the past few days.

Gurpreet Singh commented that since 1999, sevadars from Madhya Pardes and the Pune area have contributed immensely in exposing and uncovering the evil activities of not only the RSS, but also the Kala-Afghani heretics. 

“This type of intimidation and interference by outside forces will not be allowed. The sangat will soon find out the truth about these troublemakers,” retorted the sevadar.