AMRITSAR: While a delegation of Sikhs from Italy has come to Amritsar to clarify its stand on complaints of disrespect of Guru Granth Sahib, its meeting with the Sikh high priests has been postponed to January 3.

The delegation led by national Sikh Dharam Parchar Committee president Harwant Singh Daduwal had arrived from Italy to submit its clarification on the complaint lodged by SGPC secretary Dalmegh Singh about the non-cooperation and misbehavior of the society in distribution of 450 saroops of Guru Granth Sahib in Italy.

"We are yet to decide is we should stay back or leave for Italy. Our leave is till December 27," said Harwant Singh on Friday. In April, SGPC shipped 450 birs on the request of gurdwaras in Italy. The birs were sent to Mumbai in a specially-fabricated vehicle, and to Italy by ship under the aegis of the panj pyaras (five beloved ones).

Upon return, Dalmegh Singh had filed a complaint with jathedar of the Akal Takht Giani Gurbachan Singh against the committee, following which the jathedar had summoned Harwant Singh Daduwal to appear before the Sikh clergy.

Jathedar said that the delegation of Sikhs from Italy had met him but due to unavoidable circumstances, they postponed their meeting to January 3.

He said that he had told them that they need not to come in large numbers, instead send one or two persons to submit their clarification or hear the Sikh clergy's decision. Daduwal reiterated that the society had made all arrangements for distribution of the saroops, but the "SGPC's office bearers and employees roamed on the roads carrying the saroops with them". This "carelessness" had hurt the religious sentiments of Sikhs in Italy. He said," While ardas was on, SGPC's delegation was busy gossiping."