By IANS
Sirsa (Haryana) : Dera Sacha Sauda sect chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim tendered an apology Sunday evening – the deadline set by the Akal Takht – following a controversy over the godman's portrayal allegedly in the manner of 10th Sikh guru Gobind Singh.
"We seek an apology from Guru Gobind Singh in the interest of humanity and peace," said the sect in a statement issued from its headquarters in Sirsa, about 300 km from state capital Chandigarh.
Referring to the controversial portrayal in a newspaper advertisement earlier this month, it said: "Let alone imitating the revered guru, we cannot even imagine this thought."
The apology comes after efforts led by religious leader and social activist Swami Agnivesh who mediated between the two sides.
The controversy had sparked protests across Punjab and parts of Haryana, with many Sikhs laying siege at Dera campuses. Clashes between the two sides nearly a fortnight ago had led to one death in Punjab.
While the dera had last Sunday "regretted" the events, the Akal Takht- the highest temporal seat of Sikhism – had insisted on apology while demanding closure of all deras or campuses by Sunday.