Amritsar, May 25
An emergency meeting of five Sikh high priests held at Takht Patna Sahib today declared that Akal Takht had no right to declare any ‘hukmnama’ (edict) issued from any Takht as ‘null and void’.

The fresh ‘hukmnama’ signed by the Sikh high priests of Patna Sahib — Giani Iqbal Singh, Jathedar, Bhai Baldev Singh, senior granthi, Bhai Nihal Singh, Bhai Dalip Singh and Bhai Rajinder Singh, Head Granthi — faxed to The Tribune office here reads: “The Sikh clergy of Takht Patna Sahib were competent to issue any directive or edict and hence Akal Takht could not challenge its authority”. The edict further stated that: “If Akal Takht would take any decision against the ‘hukmnama’ issued from Takht Patna Sahib, it would be considered most unfortunate and anti-panthic”.

The issue of declaring Mr Mohinder Singh Romana, president, Takht Patna Sahib management committee, by the Sikh clergy of the Takht as ‘tankhaiya’ was taken up at the meeting of Sikh high priests held at the Akal Takht secretariat yesterday. The matter would again be taken up at the meeting of the Sikh clergy tomorrow.

However, Giani Iqbal Singh while talking to TNS from Patna Sahib said he had called the meeting of the Sikh clergy at Patna Sahib tomorrow to take stock of the situation. He claimed: “Takht Patna Sahib is the supreme Takht established by Guru Gobind Singh. Hence any directive issued from Takht Patna Sahib can-not be challenged”.

Sounding a note of warning, Giani Iqbal Singh said if Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, Jathedar, Akal Takht, would initiate any action against him, he (Jathedar Vedanti) could also be summoned at Takht Patna Sahib. He said Guru Gobind Singh himself used to accept all the directives issued from ‘Panj Piaras’.

Giani Iqbal Singh said Jathedar Vedanti was also guilty of religious misconduct as he was present in the congregation held in Chicago when Mr Romana had used ‘derogatory’ language against him or Dasam Granth. For that matter, Jathedar Vedanti could be summoned at Takht Patna Sahib for seeking his explanation in this regard.