M A I N   N E W S

Ranjit Singh kicks up fresh row
Issues back-dated directive
Varinder Walia
Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 9
Can a back-dated directive of Akal Takht be issued? The issue may kick up a fresh row, as Bhai Ranjit Singh, who was unceremoniously removed as Jathedar, Akal Takht, in early 1999, has issued a back-dated directive regarding the much-publicised Talwara gurdwara controversy. Bhai Ranjit Singh said he had to issue the back-dated directive as he had already conveyed it verbally to the parties concerned in 1998, when he as Jathedar, Akal Takht.

Claiming to be the “real Akal Takht Jathedar, Bhai Ranjit Singh said he was still performing his duties as Jathedar. “If Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti feels that I have violated the maryada (Sikh code of conduct), he should dare summon me at the Takht”, he said. “Jathedar Vedanti does not have the guts to do so as he is merely a “puppet” in the hands of Mr Parkash Singh Badal”, Bhai Ranjit Singh said.

Addressing a press conference, Bhai Ranjit Singh said he could take the charge of Jathedar anytime as Jathedar Vedanti was not being accepted as Jathedar in India and abroad. He showed copies of Punjabi newspapers and news magazines, published from Canada, wherein it was implied that the local sangat there opposed the visit of Jathedar Vedanti. He claimed that the Canadian sangat had told Jathedar Vedanti that Bhai Ranjit Singh was the “real” Jathedar.

It may be mentioned here that Bhai Ranjit Singh handed over the Akal Takht directive dated October 24, 1998, to a group of Talwara township (Hariana). Bhai Ranjit Singh said as he still possessed the stamp and letter head of Akal Takht, he should be considered as the “real” Jathedar.

The back-dated directive (No. 1284) reads: “A meeting of five Sikh high priests was held at Akal Takht on October 24, 1998, regarding the dispute over Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Sector 2, Talwara, brought up by Sri Guru Granth Sahib Bhavan, Latifpur. It was decided that the present committee should continue to perform its duties.”

Bhai Ranjit Singh justified the issuance of the back-dated directive on the pretext that the Sikh clergy had already taken the decision to resolve the matter.

The former Jathedar alleged that Jathedar Vedanti and other high priests were taking decisions which suited the ruling party.

He said though the SGPC chief, Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi, had openly criticised the mild “tankhaiya” (religious punishment) to the private publishers of Guru Grant Sahib, Jathedar Vedanti and other high priests had not dared to summon Mr Talwandi so far.

He alleged that though Mr Kewal Singh Badal, Vice-President, SGPC, had openly confessed that he, along with his father, Mr Gurdev Singh Badal, Agriculture Minister, had shared the stage with an excommunicated Sikh, Baba Pyara Singh Bhaniyara, they had not been given any punishment. He said the Akal Takht Jathedar should be fearless and strong enough so that he should not come under pressure from any quarter.

While Mr Ajit Singh and Mr Rajinder Singh Narang, when contacted by Tribune News Service at Talwara, alleged that the back-dated directive issued under the seal of Akal Takht by Bhai Ranjit Singh was a wrong precedent, Mr Satnam Singh, president of the gurdwara, justified the directive.

Ridiculing the absence of Giani Puran Singh, Head Granthi, Golden Temple, from meetings of the Sikh clergy, Bhai Ranjit Singh said if both institutions — the Golden Temple and Akal Takht — could not work in unison, the concept of “panch pardhani” could not be realised.

The former Jathedar alleged that Jathedar Vedanti had been denied the “siropa” (robe of honour) at many gurdwaras in Canada. He further alleged that two Akali ministers, Mr Sujan Singh and Mr Sohan Singh Thandal, were seen partaking “langar” on tables and chairs in gross violation of the “hukamnama.” He also alleged that the five persons who disappeared after reaching Canada were also seen partaking langar with the ministers.

Bhai Ranjit Singh said the “ship” of Mr Badal was sinking and his party would be “wiped out” in the forthcoming elections. He said he would launch a campaign for the defeat of the ruling SAD-BJP combine and the Congress, which had caused a lot of damage to the Sikh Panth.