M A I N   N E W S

SGPC Secy Bachan quits in protest
Tribune News Service

Amritsar, April 26
The supreme body of the Sikhs, the SGPC, was today embroiled in a controversy when its Executive Committee at its meeting held in gurdwara Alamgir, Ludhiana, decided to retire all employees who have crossed the age of 58.

In protest against this decision, the Secretary of the SGPC, Dr Gurbachan Singh Bachan, submitted his resignation amid high drama. But since the Jathedar, Akal Takht, Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, is also over 58. The Executive decided to exempt the jathedar. This exemption forced Dr Bachan to offer his resignation on the spot. He sought immediate acceptance of his resignation, thus bringing to an end his controversial tenure spanning under three SGPC Presidents — Bibi Jagir Kaur, Jathedar Jagdev Singh Talwandi and Prof Kirpal Singh Badungar.

It is learnt that Dr Bachan has joined Guru Nanak Dev University to head Guru Gobind Chair.

Dr Bachan was appointed Officer on Special Duty by the then SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur immediately after having taken over the reins in 1999 to ease out Mr Kulwant Singh. Bibi Jagir Kaur then appointed Dr Bachan as Secretary on December 2, 1999. Formerly Coordinator, NSS, at Guru Nanak Dev University, he was a confidant of former Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal. However, his formal appointment was challenged in the Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission which had stayed his functioning, but later the decision was revoked.

The manager of Chheharta Sahib Gurdwara, Mr Harbans Singh, had applied for extension after having attained the retiring age, but the Executive immediate turned down his request and decided to clamp on all those employees above 58.