M A I N   N E W S

Excommunication invalid,
say other jathedars

AMRITSAR, Jan 26 (PTI) — Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Puran Singh today received a major setback when four when four other high priests of Sikhs' rejected his excommunication of the SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur who, apparently emboldened, refused to accept the edict.

The high priests: Giani Kewal Singh, Jathedar Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Giani Mohan Singh, Head Granthi of the Golden Temple, Giani Bhagwan Singh, Head Granthi of Akal Takht, and Giani Gurbachan Singh, Granthi of the Golden Temple, termed Giani Puran Singh's decision as against the "rich traditions" of Akal Takht as they were not consulted.

They said such a crucial decision could be taken only by the five priests at the Akal Takht only. The directive issued by Giani Puran Singh could not be considered to be a directive of the Akal Takht as he had not consulted the other priests in taking it, they said.

They said that in such cases the accused is given a chance to present his or her views to the five priests at the Akal Takht. If the accused failed to give a "satisfactory" response to the charges levelled against him or her, the five priests take further action.

Bibi Jagir Kaur told reporters, after a four-hour meeting of SGPC members owing allegiance to her, that the manner in which the "directive" had been issued by Giani Puran Singh was was "against Sikh norms and principles."

She said she would not accept the directive as the decision had not been taken unanimously by the five high priests.