‘Damdama Sahib not recognised Takht’
Tribune News Service

AMRITSAR, Jan 4 — Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee secretary Manjit Singh Calcutta, has said that the "Hukamnama" (edict) could be issued only by Akal Takht (supreme temporal seat of Sikhs) and not from any other Takht (religious throne).

Talking to The Tribune here today, Mr Calcutta said that as per the Gurdwara Act and Sikh traditions, Akal Takht Jathedar was competent to issue the "Hukamnama" on his own. Jathedars of all five Takhts were never involved while issuing the 'Hukamnamas' in the past. So much so Takht Damdama Sahib, which was re-established in 1963 with Sant Harchand Singh Longowal as its founder Jathedar had not yet been recognised by the government under the Gurdwara Act so far. He added that for the past 20 years. Jathedars of Sri Kesgarh Sahib and Damdama Sahib were involved for issuing any Hukamnama. However, while issuing 'Hukamnama' against Nirankaris the then Akal Takht Jathedar did not even consult other Jathedars.

Mr Calcutta alleged that the persons who were insisting to involve Jathedars of all Takhts were playing "dangerous" game as they wanted to erode authority of Akal Takht. Giving historical instances Mr Calcutta said that Akal Takht had been taking part in Akali affairs to forge 'Panthic' unity. He clarified that the other four Sikh high priests used to be involved issuing 'Hukamnamas as pyaras', (beloved ones) and hence there was no need to involve the Jathedars of all Takhts.

Mr Calcutta justifying the intervention of Akal Takht in politics said that there was no demarcation between religion and politics in Sikhism. Akal Takht was not merely a place for worship like temples and churches. It used to issue directives to Sikhs from time to time for the sake of 'Panth' after its establishment in the 16th century. The height of Akal Takht was deliberately kept higher than that of Red Fort with a view to sending signals that it was above any throne.

Mr Calcutta said those who were criticising the 'Hukamnama" issued for resolving the differences of Akali leaders were ignorant of Sikh history and history of Akal Takht.

All the morchas (agitations) by the Shiromani Akali Dal in pre-Partition and post-Independence period were launched from Akal Takht after offering prayers. So much so the SAD launched its morcha in 1975 against emergency from Akal Takht. Was it all not political? he asked. So much so the agitations were launched from time to time. Even Akali leaders' decision for participating and non-participation in the Round Table conferences before Independence were taken from Akal Takht. Mr Calcutta said that at one time the Assembly tickets were distributed by the committee constituted by Akal Takht in the past.

Mr Calcutta said that the Shiromani Akali Dal came into being as voluntary organisation to assist the SGPC after offering prayer at Akal Takht.

The SGPC secretary said that since Akal Takht represented Sikhs all over the world it never summoned non-Sikhs at the Takht. Despite the repeated requests of Mr HKL Bhagat who allegedly engineered anti-Sikh riots in Delhi in 1984 he was not called by the Jathedar at Akal Takht as he was not a Sikh by faith, Mr Calcutta added.