M A I N   N E W S

Talwandi, Vedanti hold meeting
Akal Takht chief refutes statement
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, Dec 23 — In a significant development, Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi, President, SGPC, and Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, Jathedar, Akal Takht, held a closed door meeting for half an hour here today.

Though it is not known what transpired at the meeting, it is certain that both Mr Talwandi and Jathedar Vedanti discussed at length the “current Panthic crisis” after the confirmation of Giani Puran Singh as Head Granthi of the Golden Temple.

Sources said Mr Talwandi had sought cooperation from Jathedar Vedanti in resolving the crisis. However, Jathedar Vedanti reportedly clarified that he had not offered to make “sacrifice” in case the Head Granthi failed to attend meetings of the Sikh High Priests. He reportedly told Mr Talwandi that any decision on the basis of the letter of the SGPC executive that Giani Puran Singh would not be attending the meetings of the Sikh clergy, would be discussed by all four High Priests who had sought a clarification from him (Mr Talwandi) and the executive on this issue.

Sikh circles, however, feel that the issue of “maryada” is likely to be complicated in the coming days as both the SGPC and the four High Priests may harden their respective stands. Earlier, the High Priests — Jathedar Vedanti, Prof Manjit Singh, Jathedar Kesgarh Sahib, Giani Kewal Singh, Jathedar Damdama Sahib, and Giani Bhagwan Singh — had insisted that the meetings of the Sikh clergy could not be held without the presence of the Head Granthi of the Golden Temple as per the age-old concept of “miri-piri” (religious-temporal). However, Mr Talwandi said it was not mandatory for the Head Granthi (Golden Temple) to attend such meetings. Mr Talwandi had claimed that the meetings of the Sikh clergy should basically be attended by the Jathedars of the five Takhts, including Takht Patna Sahib and Hazoor Sahib, or by their representatives.

Though Jathedar Vedanti has denied that he had issued any statement on “maryada” issue yesterday, the Sikh circles feel that it will be difficult for him to go back on his earlier stand that the meeting of the Sikh clergy could not be held without the presence of the Head Granthi (Golden Temple).

While, the present SGPC executive is in favour of continuance of Giani Puran Singh as the Head Granthi, the other High Priests hardly enjoy any support from them. If the stalemate between the SGPC and the other High Priests continues for long, the inquiry report against Prof Manjit Singh and Giani Kewal Singh could be reopened which has been pending since March, 1999.

Jathedar Vedanti, who is on a two years’ extension as Granthi, Golden Temple, has not been confirmed as Jathedar Akal Takht even after nine months of his installation.

Mr Talwandi showed “undue haste” by appointing Giani Puran Singh as the Head Granthi even before the approval of the executive. A few days later his appointment was confirmed which showed the support for Giani Puran Singh.

It may be mentioned here that Mr Talwandi had a closed-door meeting with Prof Manjit Singh at Anandpur Sahib at the latter’s residence.