M A I N   N E W S

Priests call ‘bir’ publishers
Family rejoins Panth after 73 years
Varinder Walia
Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 3
The five Sikh high priests have summoned Bhai Jeewan Singh and Chattar Singh and sons at Akal Takht on May 14 for publishing the holy Guru Granth Sahib in violation of the hukamnama (edict).

The hukamnama, issued by the then Jathedar, Akal Takht, Bhai Ranjit Singh on May 9, 1998, had directed that the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee had the sole right to print the ‘birs’ of the holy Guru Granth Sahib as per the Sikh maryada in order to prevent “blasphemous” acts of private publishers. However, despite repeated warnings, Bhai Jeewan Singh, and Chattar Singh continued to violate the directives of Akal Takht and for this they were declared tankhayia (guilty of religious misconduct). The publishers evaded their appearance at Akal Takht on one pretext or the other.

The high priests announced that they were pained that the publishers continued to violate the edict of Akal Takht. They made it clear that only the SGPC, Delhi Gurdwara Management Committee or other publisher with the permission of Akal Takht the Shiromani Committee could publish the holy granth.

It is pertinent to mention here that Jeewan Singh and Chattar Singh had sent ‘birs’ of Guru Granth Sahib to Chhatisgarh (village Raipur) through a goods train in gross violation of the edict. A few days earlier, an Akali minister had flagged off 101 ‘birs’ published by them. However, the priests evaded a direct question on whether they would initiate any action against the minister.

Giani Puran Singh, Head Granthi, Golden Temple, was not present at the meeting of the priests. In his place, Giani Gurbachan Singh, Granthi, Golden Temple, attended the meeting. Among those who attended the meeting included Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, Jathedar, Akal Takht, Prof Manjit Singh, Jathedar, Kesgarh Sahib, Giani Kewal Singh, Jathedar, Takht Damdama Sahib, and Giani Bhagwan Singh, Head Granthi, Akal Takht.

In another development, the family of Teja Singh Bhasaur and Bibi Niranjan Kaur who were ex-communicated from the Sikh Panth on August 9, 1928, by the then Jathedar Akal Takht, Giani Gurmukh Singh Musafir, for blasphemous acts (both husband and wife died many years ago) have re-joined the Sikh fold. The family members, including Mr Manmohan Singh, a retired Chief Engineer of the PSCB, Mr Sukhminder Singh, Mrs Tejinder Kaur etc had approached Akal Takht for tendering an unconditional apology on behalf of their deceased elders. They were allowed to rejoin the Sikh fold after offering ‘karah parsad’ of Rs 101.

The family members told TNS that their elders were ex-communicated from the Panth for challenging some portions of ‘Gurbani’. “We feel extremely happy and relaxed on rejoining the Sikh Panth after a long gap of 73 years,” they said.

Bhai Chamanjit Singh was summoned by the five high priests to clarify his position on performing ‘kirtan’ near a temple in New Delhi to mark the installation of an idol. He was directed to offer ‘karah parsad’ of Rs 101 and he assured the priests that he would not indulge in any activity which amounted to violation of the Sikh maryada.

The priests also directed the SGPC to send a high-level team to have first hand information about the alleged trimming of beard of Mr Paramjit Singh, President of the Samajwadi Janata Party, Sangrur, by a Sikh DSP, Mr Surjit Singh Grewal, at behest of Mr Ranjit Singh Balian, Minister of State Urban Development, Punjab. The priests, however, refused to disclose the names of the inquiry team.

The priests kept the issue on headgear for Sikh women replacing helmets, pending till the submission of a detailed report and discussion by Sikh intellectuals and Panthic organisations. They said that they have asked Mr B.B. Singh, designer of the headgear, to supply a specimen of the headgear meant for foreign nationals. Till then, nobody would be allowed to wear such headgear.

Despite repeated queries, the priests evaded the questions about the visit of Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, at ‘Kali Mandir,’ Patiala. They said that they could reply the question on a specific complaint only.

Jathedar Vedanti, to a specific question, denied that he had received the letter from veteran SGPC member, Mr Puran Singh Josh, who had urged Akal Takht to summon Mr Badal for allegedly violating the Sikh maryada. The high priests also refused to entertain any question on the alleged ruckus created by son of Dr Rattan Singh Ajnala, Cabinet Minister and president district SAD (Rural), after consuming liquor.

Akal Takht made an appeal to the Sikh Panth to not cooperate with Baba Dhanwant Singh of Gurdaspur till he appeared before Akal Akht. The priests alleged that Baba Dhanwant Singh had been indulging in ‘anti-Panthic’ activities. He was asked to appear before the high priests on May 14.

Other complaints and petition discussed included partaking of langar on tables and chairs in a gurdwara and performing of kirtan to mark Shivratri.