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Akal Takht reins back Jagir Kaur
From Varinder Walia
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, Feb 2 — Giani Puran Singh, Jathedar Akal Takht, has restrained Bibi Jagir Kaur, the SGPC President, from functioning till she was re-admitted into the Sikh Panth.

She was excommunicated from the Panth on January 25 through a ‘hukamnama’ (edict) issued by Akal Takht Jathedar from Guna (Madhya Pradesh) while on his way to Takht Hazoor Sahib, Nanded, Maharashtra for violating directives on the Nanakshahi calendar.

Earlier, while pronouncing ‘hukamnama’ from Akal Takht, Giani Puran Singh directed nine out of total 15 SGPC executive members to undergo “tankha” (punishment for religious misconduct) for violating the directives of Akal Takht by implementing the ‘Nanakshahi Jantri’ for two days. The executive members who have been directed to perform ‘sewa’ belong to the SAD (Badal), Sarb Hind Shiromani Akali Dal and the Akali Dal (Amritsar).

However, the Sikh high priests, including Prof Manjit Singh and Giani Kewal Singh — Jathedars of Sri Kesgarh Sahib and Takht Damdama Sahib, respectively, Giani Mohan Singh and Giani Bhagwan Singh — head granthi of the Golden Temple and Akal Takht respectively ‘boycotted’ the meeting of Sikh clergy today. In their absence, Giani Puran Singh took the same set of four “baptised Sikhs” who were present at Guna (Madhya Pradesh) at the time of issuing hukamnama wherein Bibi Jagir Kaur was excommunicated from the Panth. They were Bhai Suba Singh, Bhai Charn Singh, Bhai Milkha Singh and Bhai Raushan Singh. Apart from Giani Kewal Singh, Giani Mohan Singh and Giani Bhagwan Singh, the two priests of the Golden Temple Giani Charan Singh and Giani Gurbachan Singh, were signatories to the joint statement issued by the five Sikh high priests on January 26 challenging the hukamnama issued by Giani Puran Singh also not present at the time of issuing the edict today. It has led to speculations that Giani Puran Singh might question the authority of the five Sikh high priests for challenging the authority of Akal Takht.

The hukamnama, pronounced on the letter-head of Akal Takht has directed the nine executive members, including Mr Hardalbir Singh Shah, General Secretary, Mr Raghuvir Singh Virk, Mr Joga Singh, Mr Bhagwant Singh, Mr Suba Singh and Mr Pritam Singh Bhatia (all belonging to the SAD (Badal), Mr Gurbax Singh Purain and Mr Harbans Singh Manjpur (of the SHSAD) and Mr Jagdhir Singh Katron (SAD-Mann) to cleanse utensils in the community kitchen at the Golden Temple for one hour for two days, listening to ‘kirtan’ and reciting ‘japji sahib’ for two days. They were also directed to appear before Akal Takht on February 4 after offering ‘parshad’.

Before pronouncing the hukamnama, Akal Takht Jathedar asked all those executive members to stand up who had attended the meeting wherein decision to implement the Nanakshahi calendar was taken in violation of the Takht decision. However, Mr Balbir Singh Naushehra Pannua, Senior Vice-President, Mr Kewal Singh Badal, Vice-President, Mr Gurpal Singh Gora and Mr Satnam Singh Bhai Rupa were exonerated as they were not party to the implementation of the controversial ‘jantri’.

Replying queries of mediapersons, Giani Puran Singh said Bibi Jagir Kaur could not be forced to tender her resignation from the SGPC post as ‘maryada’ did not require so. Citing an example of Akali Phula Singh, the then jathedar Akal Takht, who had summoned Maharaja Ranjit Singh for having illicit relations with Miran, Giani Puran Singh said he (the maharaja) was not directed to step down as the king for appearing before Akal Takht. He, however, said since Bibi was excommunicated from the Panth, she could not perform her duties till her readmission into the Panth. It is pertinent to mention here that the hukamnama issued on January 25 by Giani Puran Singh had directed the ‘Sikh sangat’ to sever all social relations with Bibi Jagir Kaur till she rejoined the Panth.

Giani Puran Singh, however, parried the question why no action had been taken against Mr Parkash Singh Badal for having declared holiday on January 5 to mark the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh on the basis of Nanakshahi calendar. He also did not entertain questions about the challenging of his hukamnama by the five Sikh high priests.

However, Giani Puran Singh claimed that Bibi Jagir Kaur, who had earlier challenged the validity of a hukamnama had accepted her ‘excommunication’. She may move Akal Takht for ‘exoneration’. He said no time limit could be fixed for applying to Akal Takht for readmission.

Baba Kashmira Singh and Baba Mangal Singh President and Acting President of the Gurmat Gurbani Sidhant Sant Samaj, respectively, said the supremacy of Akal Takht had been re-established with the appearance of the executive before Akal Takht. The propaganda that Giani Puran Singh “sarkari jathedar” stood removed as the ruling SGPC members bowed their head before Akal Takht following a hukamnama by Giani Puran Singh.

On the other hand, Mr Balbir Singh Pannu, Senior Vice-President and Mr Hardalbir Singh Shah, General Secretary, SGPC, said that they would discuss the entire situation in the general house which could be convened shortly. Mr Pannu claimed that Bibi Jagir Kaur was still the SGPC chief. He said the SGPC executive had appeared before Akal Takht as they consider Akal Takht as the supreme temporal seat of the Sikhs. “This is the duty of every Sikh to bow his head before it”, he added. He parried all questions about the “validity” of the hukamnama.

It may be mentioned here that the entire SGPC executive had a close meeting with Giani Puran Singh at Akal Takht secretariat after the pronouncement of hukamnama. They have reportedly asked Giani Puran Singh the reasons for issuing hukamnama wherein Bibi Jagir Kaur was excommunicating from the Panth. They have also reportedly asked Giani Puran Singh about the urgency of issuing the hukamnama while on his way to Hazoor Sahib.

On the other hand, Mr Rajinder Singh Mehta and Mr Amarjit Singh Chawla, President and Secretary General, Sikh Students Federation, respectively, who played a significant role for bringing the entire SGPC executive to Akal Takht today rushed to Nawanshahr to apprise Mr Parkash Singh Badal of the latest developments. Mr Badal has been camping at Nawanshahr in connection with the byelection.