Damdami Tksal on Balwant Singh Rajoana.
Tweet
Tweet
	A meeting of all panthic groups and organisations summoned by the Akal Takht at Golden Temple complex in Amritsar will discuss the case of convicted Babbar Khalsa militant Balwant Singh Rajoana on Thursday. A decision to discuss Rajoan's case was taken by the Sikh clergy in a Golden Temple complex on Tuesday. The meeting was presided over by Akal Takht jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh Others present at the meeting were Giani Balwant Singh Nandgarh, jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib, Giani Tarlochan Singh, jathedar of Takht Kesgarh Sahib, Giani Iqbal Singh, jathedar of Takht Patna Sahib, and Giani Partap Singh, head granthi of Takht Hazoor Sahib, Nanded. The meeting with Panthic groups will be held at 11 am on March 23 in Teja Singh Samundri Hall. The clergy has directed all Sikh religious, social and political organisations to send their suggestions on the Rajoana case to the Akal Takht on or before March 23. Suggestions in writing can also be brought to the March 23 meeting by representatives of these organisations. "After careful discussion, a consensus will be arrived at and the 'quam' will be intimated thereafter," Giani Gurbachan Singh disclosed at a media conference after the meeting. The jathedar has also asked Sikh organisations to consult legal experts on the case and forward their opinions at the meeting. There were apprehensions prior to Tuesday's meeting that the clergy may issue a directive to the convicted militant for filing a clemency petition. However, it has now decided to take a broader view of the case before arriving at a consensus. Rajoana who is to be executed on March 31 for the assassination of former Punjab chief minister, has decided not to seek clemency from the court. The clergy, at its meeting, felt that the death sentence awarded to Rajoana had "hurt the sentiments" of the entire community. "If the death penalty is carried out, this will convey the impression of bias against Sikhs," said Giani Gurbachan Singh. The priests carefully looked at the provocative statements made by certain individuals in the last couple of days after the court fixed March 31 as the date for hanging Rajoana. "Punjab has suffered in the past due to such irresponsible behaviour, which only vitiates the peaceful atmosphere of the state," the priests said, while making an appeal to people to remain peaceful.