Radical Sikh outfit Dal Khalsa opposes Congress, Akali Dal requests for Sikh honours to ex-PM Manmohan Singh

Dal Khalsa opposes conferring 'Panth Rattan' title on Manmohan Singh, urges Congress to seek Bharat Ratna instead.

Sikh radical outfit Dal Khalsa has strongly opposed Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring’s request that the Akal Takht — the highest Sikh temporal seat — consider conferring the ‘Panth Rattan’, a title of honour, on the late former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The Dal Khalsa has also objected to the Shiromani Akali Dal’s (SAD) proposed plans to request the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to install Singh’s portrait in the Sikh Museum at the Golden Temple complex.

The Dal Khalsa insisted that the former PM had served the country but not the Sikh community. “We object and would oppose any move to confer ‘Panth Rattan’ title or installation of ex-PM Manmohan Singh’s portrait in the Sikh museum. He hasn’t served the Sikh community,” Dal Khalsa spokesperson Kanwar Pal Singh told The Hindu on Tuesday.

“We strongly object to Congress seeking Panthic title for a person who hardly served Sikh interests and identity while remaining at India’s top executive post for ten years,” said Dal Khalsa working president Paramjit Singh Mand. “If the Congress wants any title for Dr. Singh, it should approach Narendra Modi government and seek the Bharat Ratna for him,” he added.

The Punjab Congress president had written to Akal Takht Jathedar (chief priest) Giani Raghbir Singh, requesting that the ‘Panth Rattan’ title be bestowed on the former PM in recognition of his contributions to the nation and the Sikhs.

Asserting that the SAD values and respects the extraordinary services which the late Prime Minister rendered to the nation and the pride he brought to the Sikh quom (community) all over the world, SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal had recently said: “...the SAD will request the SGPC for the installation of his portrait in the Sikh Museum situated at Darbar Sahib complex.”