M A I N   N E W S

Jagir Kaur to go into retreat
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Feb 5 — The SGPC chief, Bibi Jagir Kaur, who was excommunicated by the Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Puran Singh on January 25, has decided to proceed to a secluded place for an indefinite period.

“I am proceeding today to a secluded place for an indefinite period to dedicate myself to ‘Guru Shabad’ and pray”, she said in a statement released to the press here today.The next programme will be announced at the appropriate time, the statement said.

Quoting elaborately from the Gurbani in the statement, Bibi Jagir Kaur said the aim of the SGPC was to present every issue related to the Sikhs in national context and protect their rights.

“What has happened from January 25 to date, has forced me to look inward for introspection. There was great respect for Akal Takht and its ‘honourable’ Jathedar in my mind”, she added.

Manjit Singh meets Jathedar
From Varinder Walia
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, Feb 5 — Prof Manjit Singh, Jathedar, Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, has appealed to representatives of various Sikh institutions and Sikh scholars to endeavour to resolve the present Panthic crisis.

Sikh circles see in Prof Manjit Singh some hope for the solution of the vexed problem caused by the stand off between SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur and Giani Puran Singh, Jathedar, Akal Takht.

Prof Manjit Singh was away to Washington when Bibi Jagir Kaur was ‘excommunicated’ from the Panth. He can play a role as he was not signatory to the joint statement issued by the five Sikh High Priests on January 26, challenging the “validity” of the “hukamnama” in this regard.

Talking to TNS, Prof Manjit Singh said Sikhs the world over were worried over the developments. It was the duty of Sikh organisations and scholars to get together to find an amicable settlement to the issue.

Meanwhile, an exercise has been launched to break the deadlock between Bibi Jagir Kaur and Giani Puran Singh.

As part of the damage-control exercise undertaken by Prof Manjit Singh today, he remained closeted with Giani Puran Singh at his residence this evening for over an hour. After the meeting, both high priests refused to divulge the details of their discussion. According to informed sources, Prof Manjit Singh discussed with Giani Puran Singh in detail the key issues in his bid to break the impasse and to save the beleaguered SGPC chief, Bibi Jagir Kaur .

The close confidants of the Akal Takht Jathedar, however, feel that he is being persuaded to give up his rigid stand in the larger interest of the Panth, as the stand off between the Jathedar and Bibi Jagir Kaur had considerably weakened the political clout of the Chief Minister and SAD chief, Mr Parkash Singh Badal.

It is reliably learnt that the outcome of today’s meeting was significant and its positive results may pave the way for Bibi Jagir Kaur to present herself before Akal Takht as sought by Giani Puran Singh after excommunicating her.

Dr Puran Singh Jassi, a former Director, Health Services, a confidant of Giani Puran Singh, talking to TNS said Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, had deputed him and Mr Avtar Singh Hit, President, SAD, New Delhi, to find a solution.

They were likely to hold a meeting with Mr Badal so that his (Mr Badal’s) feelings could be conveyed to the Akal Takht Jathedar.

A section of the Sant Samaj, including Baba Mangal Singh Satlani, acting President, Gurmat Gurbani Parcharak Sant Samaj, and Baba Major Singh held a closed-door meeting with the Jathedar of Akal Takht at the latter’s residence. They reportedly discussed at length the developments, including presenting of ‘siropa’ (robe of honour) to Bibi Jagir Kaur at Gurdwara, Tutti Gandhi in Muktsar.

According to sources, pressure is being mounted on Giani Puran Singh not to summon an Akali member of Parliament and a state minister at Akal Takht who were present at the function where the Bibi was presented with “Mai Bhago gold medal” after her excommunication.

Giani Puran Singh is also being persuaded not to take action against Giani Kewal Singh, Jathedar, Damdama Sahib, Giani Mohan Singh and Giani Bhagwan Singh, Head Granthis of the Golden Temple and Akal Takht, respectively and Giani Charn Singh and Giani Gurbachan Singh, granthis of the Golden Temple, for challenging the “hukamnama” at the behest of Bibi Jagir Kaur.

The five Sikh High Priests, Mr Badal and Bibi Jagir Kaur may urge Prof Manjit Singh to persuade Giani Puran Singh to go soft on the issue.

Sources said Bibi Jagir Kaur would take a decision whether or not to appear before Akal Takht after a “positive gesture” from Giani Puran Singh.