BREAKING: Dhumma Breaks Silence, Gives Full Support to Attack on Bhai Dhadrianwale
Posted: 23 May 2016
Baba Harnaam Singh Dhumma on left and Bhai Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale on right
MEHTA, Punjab—During a press conference that just finished at Chowk Mehta, Baba Harnaam Singh Dhumma, leader of a Damdami Taksal sect, said that the Sikh Sangat and students of the Damdami Taksal have been deeply hurt due to the so-called “objectionable” remarks against the Damdami Taksal. He also said that sentiments of Sikh Sangat have been hurt not just in Punjab, but internationally.
“Damdami Taksal was started by Guru Gobind Singh Ji and no Sikh could bear insults towards the Taksal. I can understand the resentment and anger towards Dhadrianwale by the Sikh sangat,” Baba Harnaam Singh Dhumma said during the press statement today, May 23.
On May 17, Bhai Dhadrianwale was on his way to a diwan at village Isewal (Mullanpur Dakha) in Ludhiana when a gang of 40 people fired gunshots at his convoy. Baba Bhupinder Singh, another Singh who dresses just like Bhai Dhadrianwale was shot dead.
On Saturday, May 21, Bhai Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale gave an ultimatum to the Punjab Government asking it to provide full details of the investigations and name the masterminds of the attack. “The Government has made several arrests in the case, and the attackers have taken full responsibility of the attack, however the Government has refrained to name the mastermind of the attack. I feel the Government is shielding the main culprits, Bhai Dhadrianwale told Sikh24.
“Where were the Panthik organizations and the Government when Dhadrianwale made ‘derogatory’ remarks towards the Damdami Taksal and the dastar of Taksal chief?” Baba Harnaam Singh Dhumma asked.
During the press statement, Baba Harnaam Singh Dhumma accepted that the attackers were associated with the Damdami Taksal. “While here I express condolences at the passing away of Baba Bhupinder Singh from Dhakki Sahib, I want to make it clear that I also respect the sentiments of the attackers and will support them in every possible way,” Baba Harnaam Singh Dhumma said.
“We are ready to fight cases of these Singhs legally and provide all assistance as required,” he added. In terms of his own involvement, Baba Harnaam Singh Dhumma said, “I was unaware of the attack but some of the attackers are students of the Damdami Taksal and use the vehicles here from time to time.” Baba Dhumma appealed to Bhai Dhadrianwale to refrain from indulging in commentary that leads to bickering within Sikh brothers.
Eight attackers were sent to a 4 day police remand on Friday, May 23 by the Ludhiana Sessions Court. After their appearance in the case, one of the attackers claimed responsibility and said Bhai Dhadrianwale was attacked for his remarks on Sri Dasam Granth. “Anyone who utters derogatory remarks on Dasam Bani will face the same fate,” said one of the attackers Gagandeep Singh from Mehta.
The statement has been refuted by Bhai Dhadrianwale. “If there is any anti-Dasam Granth statement issued by me, please bring it to the fore,” Dhadrianwale said in a press statement.
The attack on Bhai Dhadhrianwale and jatha is one of the very few times in contemporary Sikh history where one group of gursikhs has fatally attacked another. This issue may not be resolved at a panthik level anytime soon as there are two groups of jathedars claiming legitimate authority over the takhts. Ex-Jathedar Gurbachan Singh currently enjoys the support of the same government that supports Baba Dhumma’s actions.