M A I N   N E W S

Jathedars may cross swords
‘Dasam Granth’ issue
From Varinder Walia
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, Jan 12 — For the first time, the Jathedar of Akal Takht and the Jathedar of Takht Sachkhand Shri Hazoor Sahib, Abchalnagar (Nanded), may cross swords over the issue of “Dasam Granth”.

While Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, Jathedar, Akal Takht, had directed the Sikh intelligentia to stop discussions on the authenticity and authorship of “Dasam Granth”, the issue of “Sach-Khand Patra”, an official monthly magazine of the Gurdwara Board, Takht Hazoor Sahib, carried an article stating that Takht Hazoor Sahib had undertaken the publication of the ‘Granth’ in various volumes under the patronage of Jathedar Kulwant Singh of Takht Hazoor Sahib and other four high priests.

The author, Dr Gurcharan Singh Mehta, in his article clearly mentioned that the ‘Dasam Granth’ was being published by the Takht Hazoor Sahib Board so that its message could be propagated all over the world.

The publication of the article, that too in the official magazine of the Takht Hazoor Sahib Board, is in “gross violation” of the directives of Akal Takht which has banned any discussion on the issue till a sub-committee of Sikh intellectuals reach at a consensus.

Though Jathedar Vedanti had directed the SGPC to constitute a ‘sub-committee’ of Sikh intellectuals on May 14 during the Sikh conclave held at Akal Takht last year, the SGPC has not taken any step in this regard so far.

However, Jathedar Vedanti, talking to TNS, said he would issue a reminder to the SGPC for constituting the committee at the earliest so that the community could take a final decision on this issue as per the ‘Sikh maryada’.

It may be mentioned here that Guru Granth Sahib and the “Dasam Granth” are recited at Takht Hazoor Sahib daily.

The author of the article claims that the SGPC itself had prepared a manuscript of “Dasam Granth Shabdarth” in 1935. Another book was published by the SGPC in 1955 on this subject. However, the author alleges that a section of Sikh intellectuals ignored the significance of this ‘great granth’ for reasons best known to them. He says the ‘Dasam Granth’ expounds the concept of ‘sant-sipahi’ (saint-soldier).

Baba Thakur Singh, acting Jathedar, Damdami Taksal, has also announced that the Taksal “deems it as the divine baani of the Tenth Master.”

On the other hand, Jathedar Vedanti has said Akal Takht will constitute a committee on the controversial ‘Nanakshahi calendar’. Before nominating any intellectual to the proposed committee, he will seek written acceptance by the person concerned. The Jathedar wants the sub-committee on the calendar issue to submit its report within six months.