Amritsar, November 7
The five Sikh priests today absolved Mr Jagdev Singh Talwandi, President, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, from the charge of presenting a ‘siropa’ (robe of honour) to one ex-communicated Canada-based Sikh, Mr Kashmira Singh, who had visited the Golden Temple along with Mr Ujjal Singh Dosanj, the then premier of British Columbia.

After the marathon meeting of five Sikh high priests here today, Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, Jathedar, Akal Takht, said that the issue could not be discussed since there was no concrete evidence available which showed that the SGPC chief had presented a ‘siropa’ to the ex-communicated Sikh.

Earlier, Jathedar Vedanti had announced that Mr Talwandi could be summoned for violating an edict issued by Akal Takht. It may be mentioned here that Mr Kashmira Singh was one of the non-resident Sikhs who were ex-communicated from the Sikh Panth by Bhai Ranjit Singh, the then Jathedar Akal Takht on the ‘langar’ issue. Though Mr Talwandi had admitted that the act of presenting a ‘siropa’ was inadvertent, yet he has been given the benefit of the doubt.

Sikh circles feel that exoneration seems to be at the behest of Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister, as both the Akali stalwarts (Mr Talwandi and Mr Badal) had reached a rapprochement.

Meanwhile, the five high priests — Jathedar Vedanti of Akal Takht, Prof Manjit Singh, Giani Kewal Singh, both Jathedars of Keshgarh Sahib and Damdama Sahib, respectively, Giani Bhagwan Singh, Head Granthi, Akal Takht, and Giani Jagtar Singh, Granthi, Golden Temple — pronounced ‘tankhah’ (punishment for religious misconduct) on eight Sikhs. They included Mr Iqbal Singh Tiwana, personal assistant to Mr Simranjit Singh Mann, president, Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), for having direct links with an ex-communicated Sikh, Baba Piara Singh Bhaniara. However, the Sikh cleric kept the cases of three Sikhs, including Sant Shamsher Singh Jagera, President, Sant Samaj, Mr Ajaib Singh Bedil, a preacher and Nirbhai Singh, Granthi. Keeping in view the seriousness of allegations against the three for having relations with Baba Bhaniara, they may be given tankhah at the next meeting of Akal Takht.

Others who would undergo ‘tankhah’ for having relations with Baba Bhaniara include Mr Jagjiwan Singh, Mr Sudarshan Singh, Mr Rajinder Singh, Bibi Manjit, Bibi Surinder Kaur, Mr Jarnail Singh Thekedar and Mr Surinder Singh. The high priests directed Mr Tiwana not to dye his beard henceforth as it was against the Sikh traditions. He was also directed to get himself baptised and to appear before the Takht after completion of the ‘tankhah’. Meanwhile, the high priests held a separate meeting with representatives of Nihang sects for restoring ‘maryada of Akal Takht’ in their deras. The Sikh cleric took serious view of the relations of some Nihangs with Baba Bhaniara. They were directed to find the ‘guilty’ Nihangs so that they could undergo ‘tankhah’ as per the Sikh traditions.

On the other hand, sources said that many Nihangs and Akali leaders who continued their relations with Baba Santa Singh, chief, Budha Dal, during his 17 years of ex-communication could also be summoned at Akal Takht.