AMRITSAR, Oct 24 — Giving a new turn to the controversial “hukamnama” (edict) issued by the then Jathedar Akal Takht Bhai Ranjit Singh on “langar”, the five Sikh high priests gave relaxation to the handicapped or sick devotees from partaking of langar while sitting on the floor.

The hukamnama was issued by Bhai Ranjit Singh on April 20, 1998. In many gurdwaras, abroad especially in Canada, clashes were witnessed between pro-hukamnama and anti-hukamnama Sikhs. The edict had directed the Sikh sangat not to partake of langar on chairs and tables as prevalent in several gurdwaras abroad. A large number of NRI Sikhs were excommunicated from the Sikh Panth for violating the hukamnama.

While the former Jathedar, Bhai Ranjit Singh described amendment as “anti-Panthic”, Dr Gurbachan Singh Bachan, SGPC Secretary, welcomed the directive.

Bhai Ranjit Singh said the hukamnama once issued could neither be withdrawn nor amended.

He alleged that Prof Manjit Singh, Jathedar Sri Kesgarh Sahib, was instrumental in introducing the amendment as he was boycotted by the foreign Sikh sangat for violating hukamnama.

The directive, however, states that as per the institution of langar, it was necessary to partake of it in “pangat (sitting in a line on the floor).

The meeting of the high priests lasted for more than five hours at the Akal Takht Secretariat and was attended by Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, Jathedar Akal Takht, Prof Manjit Singh, Jathedar, Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Giani Kewal Singh, Jathedar, Sri Damdama Sahib, Giani Mohan Singh, head granthi, Darbar Sahib, and Giani Bhagwan Singh, head granthi, Akal Takht.

They claimed that they had not discussed the issue of Bibi Jagir Kaur, SGPC chief, against whom a CBI case was registered. Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, replying to a question, said Akal Takht would wait for the decision of the CBI or court before taking up the issue.

Bhai Ranjit Singh, however, alleged that Giani Vedanti had attended the cremation and bhog ceremony of Harpreet Kaur, daughter of Bibi Jagir Kaur. That was why he had failed to take up the issue of the SGPC chief.

When asked to comment on the relaxation, he said the handicapped persons could carry the food to their homes. Langar was also served to patients in hospitals, but while partaking of it in “sangat or pangat” it had to be taken in according with the “Gur-maryada”.