Representatives of Sikh organisations, led by Sukhwinder Singh Khalsa, president of the Haryana unit of Shri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Sabha, have lodged a strong protest on the proposed congregation, claiming it will affect the peaceful atmosphere and incite Sikh-Dera clashes.

They also handed over a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner S K Goyal, demanding a ban on the entry of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in Jalanana or any other Sikh-dominated village in the district. Dera Sacha Sauda has been organising a congregation in Jalanana, the birthplace of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh’s predecessor Shah Satnam Singh, every year on January 12. However, it was not held last year due to the tension between Sikhs and Dera followers.

A spokesperson of Dera Sacha Sauda, Dr Aditya Insaan, said the Dera had been organising congregations in 16 states, but there had never been any violence anywhere. He said the Dera Sacha Sauda, a social and religious organisation, held congregations just to pray to God.

The authorities, meanwhile, maintained that they had received an application from Dera Sacha Sauda, seeking permission to hold the January 12 congregation.