Warring jathedars agree on mediation by SGPC
From H.S. Bhanwer and Varinder Walia
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, Aug 28 — All three warring jathedars are unanimous in the view that the SGPC should intervene to sort out differences among them on important Sikh affairs as the SGPC is their appointing authority.

In separate interviews, they said the issuing of 'hukamnama' on 'Guru-ka-langar', which had divided the Sikhs living abroad, and the seeking of accounts of the World Sikh Council from Prof Manjit Singh as also the alleged rude language used by Bhai Ranjit Singh against his colleagues were the main reasons for the crisis.

While Prof Manjit Singh, jathedar, Sri Kesgarh Sahib, has categorically stated that he is willing to make any sacrifice for maintaining the dignity of the Takhts and in the larger interest of the Panth, Akal Takht chief Bhai Ranjit Singh has said he is not averse to mediation by the SGPC to sort out the differences.

Giani Kewal Singh, jathedar, Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, who has also endorsed the views of his colleagues for intervention by the SGPC, said before any rapprochement, the entire matter should be probed threadbare by the SGPC and Sikh intelligentsia.

Bhai Ranjit Singh claimed that all five high priests had been functioning in harmony till he sought the accounts of the World Sikh Council from Prof Manjit Singh who officiated as jathedar of Akal Takht during his detention. Differences also arose on the issue of initiating action against certain Sikh leaders of Canada, especially Giani Harkirat Singh and Bhai Balbir Singh Changiara, and Baba Mohinder Singh of Nishkam Sikh Jatha, Birmingham, England, for defying the 'hukamnama' on 'Guru ka langar' pronounced on April 20. Since these leaders living abroad enjoyed good ties with Prof Manjit Singh, the latter opposed the move to declare them "tankhaiya" (guilty of religious misconduct).

The Akal Takht chief denied having ever used harsh language towards any of his colleagues. This could be checked from Giani Mohan Singh and Giani Bhagwan Singh, Head Granthis, Golden Temple and Akal Takht respectively, he added.

He said he was ready to cooperate with the SGPC to resolve the issues. At the same time he reiterated that he would not allow Prof Manjit Singh and Giani Kewal Singh to attend the meetings at Akal Takht unless Prof Manjit Singh submitted the accounts of the World Sikh Council. "These funds are the property of the Panth and it is my duty to get these back", he said.

Prof Manjit Singh, talking to TNS over the phone from his residence in Patiala said he had worked in complete harmony with Bhai Ranjit Singh when he was installed as jathedar of Akal Takht on December 31, 1996. He, however, added that he did not support his move to ex-communicate Sikhs en masse on "flimsy" grounds, especially at a time when the Sikhs were celebrating the 300th anniversary of the birth of the Khalsa.

When the issue of ex-communicating Baba Mohinder Singh, who was undertaking the "kar sewa" of the Golden Temple at that time, was raised at Akal Takht, Prof Manjit Singh said he suggested that the Baba be given a chance to explain his position. His stand was vindicated when it was found that Baba Mohinder Singh had already implemented the "hukamnama" on "langar".

Regarding the account of the World Sikh Council, Prof Manjit Singh said the funds had been collected from the Sikh masses in a "transparent" manner. The then secretary-general of the council, Mr Jaswant Singh Mann, had expressed his willingness to show the accounts to anybody who so desired. However, he (Mr Mann) could not hand over the accounts as the matter was subjudiced. He said Justice Kuldip Singh, chairman of the council, had accepted this plea.

He said he, along with Giani Kewal Singh, had met Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra at his village when Bhai Ranjit Singh had used harsh language in his letters and made the issue public. Mr Tohra had assured them that the matter would be resolved amicably.

Prof Manjit Singh said some scribes had "exaggerated and distorted" his views. He clarified that he had not convened a press conference. Certain mediapersons had met him at his residence and asked him the reasons for not attending the last two meetings at Akal Takht. He said he had told them that he would not attend the meetings till Bhai Ranjit Singh "mended his ways".

Giani Kewal Singh agreed with Bhai Manjit Singh regarding the intervention of the SGPC and the Sikh intelligentsia. He said the hard-hitting letters of Bhai Ranjit Singh and his harsh language coupled with "unfounded allegations" were the rootcause of the crisis.

Giani Mohan Singh said the differences among the three jathedars arose when accounts of the World Sikh Council were asked from Prof Manjit Singh. He said Bhai Ranjit Singh had done nothing wrong in this as the "money belonged to the Panth". He denied that Bhai Ranjit Singh had used harsh language against any of his colleagues. He claimed that till recently, all five high priests had been functioning as a team.

The differences, he said, could be resolved by a meeting of all high priests on the initiative of the SGPC.

Giani Bhagwan Singh, while expressing similar views, defended the actions of Bhai Ranjit Singh, including beating of a few supporters of Mahant Manjit Singh Jammu. He alleged that 200 supporters of the Mahant had converged at Akal Takht with the intention to "attack" the high priests.

They raised "provocative" slogans, they alleged that Giani Kewal Singh was responsible for the suicide of his daughter-in-law, Prof Manjit Singh had embezzled the funds of Gurmat Sagar Trust, Anandpur Sahib, and Bhai Ranjit Singh was a "killer". They rushed to the top floor of Akal Takht with the intention of "attacking" the Sikh clergy. Had Bhai Ranjit Singh not reacted promptly, they would have assaulted the clergy.

Takht chief insists on accounts
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, Aug 28 — Akal Takht chief Bhai Ranjit Singh, in a categorical statement, has announced that he is ready to resign from the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs, at the instance of any "Gursikh" if proved guilty of religious misconduct.

Addressing a press conference at his residence here today, Bhai Ranjit Singh, however, hastened to add that no Sikh organisation, including the SGPC, had the moral right to seek his resignation if found he had been discharging his duties and responsibilities in accordance with the "Sikh maryada".

The Akal Takht chief said he would attend any meeting convened by the SGPC chief, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra. He, however, added that an amicable settlement among the three jathedars was possible if Prof Manjit Singh submitted all accounts of the World Sikh Council.

Bhai Ranjit Singh said at the meeting proposed to be convened by Mr Tohra, his colleagues could point out his mistakes, if any.

Though Mr Tohra had appealed to the jathedars not to rush to the press, Bhai Ranjit Singh criticised Prof Manjit Singh for his "misleading" statement in a section of the Canadian press which was reproduced by a leading Punjabi daily. Prof Manjit Singh had stated that he did not participate in the Akal Takht meeting which decided to ex-communicate Canadian Sikhs on the issue of "Guru ka langar".

Bhai Ranjit Singh said Prof Manjit Singh had attended the meeting in which six Canadian Sikhs were declared "tankhayia". To substantiate this, he produced a photocopy of the official "hukamnama" which carried the signatures of all the high priests.

Bhai Ranjit Singh said Prof Manjit Singh had "stabbed in the back" the Sikh Panth by "misleading" the sangat on the issue. He further said before reaching any rapproachement among the three jathedars, Prof Manjit Singh and Giani Kewal Singh would have to clarify that they too were involved in the decision.

He said of the six Canadian Sikhs ex-communicated, two had been classfellows of Prof Manjit Singh. He also alleged that Prof Manjit Singh, a close relative of Baba Gurbachan Singh, Nirankari chief, had held "a meeting" in the office of the Editor of a Punjabi daily.

Bhai Ranjit Singh said the Akal Takht chief was competent to issue "hukamnamas" with the consent of other high priests. He said the claim of Prof Manjit Singh that any "hukamnama" was invalid which did not carry his signatures was meaningless.

He said there were a number of instances when directives were issued by the Takht though chiefs of the Takhts were not present. This had happened when Prof Manjit Singh was acting Jathedar of Akal Takht.

Tohra to hold meeting
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, Aug 28 — The SGPC president, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, has said that he will hold a meeting with the Sikh clergy to resolve the differences among them.

When contacted on the phone this morning, before his departure to Nagpur (Maharashtra), he said the meeting would be held either on September 1 or 2, probably in Amritsar.

He expressed the hope that the Sikh clergy would not rush to the press, further complicating the matter.

Badal calls it family affair
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 28 — The Shiromani Akali Dal president, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, says the rift among the Sikh head priests is a "family affair" which will be resolved keeping in view the interests of the Panth.

He told TNS this morning he was of the opinion that instead of going to the media, the matters should be sorted out among the jathedars, who were " respected and responsible" persons.