AMRITSAR, Dec 6 — After assuming office, Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi, the newly appointed President of the SGPC, has announced that the executive committee would review the decision of ‘boycotting’ jathas to Pakistan.

Bibi Jagir Kaur, the then chief of the SGPC, had stopped sending jathas to Pakistan in protest against the formation of the Pakistan Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (PGPC). No jatha was sent to Pakistan after April, 1999.

Mr Talwandi alleged that some opposition leaders were taking advantage of the ‘boycott’ by the SGPC. Many jathas were sent to Pakistan by some leaders having vested interest despite the ‘boycott’ by the SGPC.

He said an honourable ‘way out’ would be found to lodge protest with the Government of Pakistan. He said as per the Nehru-Tara Singh Pact, the SGPC had the sole right to maintain historical Sikh shrines in Pakistan. The formation of the PGPC was unjustified.

When asked whether he would meet Prime Minister in this regard, he said it would be decided by the executive meeting. He clarified that ‘unlike the past’, all decisions would be taken ‘democratically’.

In yet another significant statement, Mr Talwandi said he would take up the issue of ‘distortion of Sikh history’ by the Rashtriya Sikh Sangat at an appropriate time. He said Mr Badal would bring this to the notice of the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee. He also parried a direct question on the issue of separate identity of Sikhs. However, Bibi Kiranjot Kaur, newly appointed general secretary, who was sitting with Mr Talwandi said that Sikhs had a separate identity as announced by the five Sikh high priests during the Sikh conclave held at Akal Takht on May 14.

Mr Talwandi said that he would streamline the SGPC by undertaking corrective measures. However, there would be no witch hunting. When a correspondent pointed out that rooms of some officials were locked immediately after the ousting of Bibi Jagir Kaur, Mr Talwandi said they (the locks) were opened the next day.

He, however, evaded a direct question whether Giani Puran Singh, former Jathedar of Akal Takht, would be reinstated as granthi of the Golden Temple. He also refused to comment on the formation of the American Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee. He said it was for the executive of the SGPC to take a decision on it.

He said he would ask the Punjab Government to take steps for maintenance of the state’s heritage, especially that relating to the period of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. He admitted that the ‘barandari’ related to Maharaja Ranjit Singh which was demolished by the SGPC was a wrong step.

Mr Talwandi also parried questions on sensitive issues, including the controversial Nanakshahi calendar and Dasam Granth.