World Sikh Council recast likely
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, March 31 — After disbanding all trusts and managements of the SGPC-run schools formed during the tenure of the former SGPC chief, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, the Badal faction is likely to re-constitute the World Sikh Council (WSC), headed by Justice Kuldip Singh (retd) after the tercentenary Khalsa celebrations.

The World Sikh Council was formed when the World Sikh Sammelan on September 25, 1995, passed a resolution floating a body to spread Sikhism the world over. While the SGPC is confined to Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, the World Sikh Council was floated to reach to every Sikh in the world.

The council was formed when Prof Manjit Singh was acting Jathedar of Akal Takht. However, after the installation of Bhai Ranjit Singh as Jathedar of Akal Takht on December 31, 1996, he expressed displeasure over its working. The war of letters began among the jathedars over the handing over the accounts of the council to Akal Takht. Prof Manjit Singh resigned from the chairmanship of the council and Justice Kuldip Singh (retd), a close confidant of Bhai Ranjit Singh became its next president.

Talking to TNS, Bhai Ranjit Singh expressed fear that the Badal faction could disband the World Sikh Council top in violation of the rules.

Mr Jasbir Singh Ghuman, Mr Avtar Singh Ghulla and Mr Sawinderjit Singh who are executive members of the council and close confidants of the suspended Jathedar, alleged that the new SGPC had 'forcibly' opened the secretariat of Akal Takht which houses the office of the council. They further alleged that SGPC employees had taken the record of the council into their possession.

However, Mr Kulwant Singh, secretary, SGPC, denied the charges said the Akal Takht secretariat was still in possession of Bhai Ranjit Singh. In a categorical statement, Mr Kulwant Singh said the SGPC would not allow Bhai Ranjit Singh to function from the secretariat. He, however, said the SGPC would approach the Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission to get the Akal Takht secretariat vacated. It would urge the commission to appoint a panel in whose presence the record could be sealed.

On the other hand, the SGPC and the suspended Jathedar are again on the confrontation path as the latter is determined to hold the meeting of the World Sikh Council (Amritsar region) in the Akal Takht secretariat. Mr Ghuman, Mr Ghulla and Mr Swinderjit Singh said the meeting would be held as per the schedule. They, however, said they had been directed by Bhai Ranjit Singh not to indulge in any confrontation with the SGPC.

"In case we are stopped by the SGPC staff to enter the secretariat of Akal Takht, we will hold the meeting outside the office or in front of Akal Takht itself. We have already despatched letters to the council members for holding the meeting at the secretariat", they said.