Akal Takht officiating jathedar appeals to Sikhs to unite against ‘anti-Panthic’ forces

GS Paul

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Tribune News Service

Amritsar, November 17

Amid facing flak over ‘missing’ Guru Granth Sahib ‘saroops’ and allegedly underplaying fire incident that damaged the holy scriptures in May 2016, the SGPC on Tuesday commemorated its centenary at Gurdwara Manji Sahib Diwan Hall in Golden Temple complex.

Nonetheless, Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh attempted to justify the SGPC’s action taken against misappropriation of 328 saroops and also tried to pave the political pitch of SAD with its president Sukhbir Singh Badal also present on the dais.

Taking a dig at the dissident Akalis, Jathedar said SAD is the ‘son’ of SGPC and no force can ever break this relationship. Since 2004, SAD had established its supremacy over the SGPC, post the era of Gurcharan Singh Tohra.

He advised the SAD leadership to conduct ‘Punjab to Panth’ march so that no one could disassociate ‘son’ (SAD) from its mother (SGPC).

While clarifying the practicality of knowing the whereabouts of ‘missing’ saroops, he said, “How could the SGPC be held liable to disclose the saroops’ dislocation when it was the misappropriation done by some of its officials and staff members fraudulently? This issue was being given a wrong twist equating it to be sacrilege incident, whereas it was a matter of corruption and administrative lapses. Required action has already been taken in the matter and officials responsible were dismissed and suspended,” he said.

Recalling the episode of locking SGPC’s Teja Singh Samundri Hall office twice by the protesting Sikh outfits, including Satkar Committee members, he asked the SAD workers to don ‘aggressive’ approach against such anti-Panthic forces. “I want to tell the ‘son’ (SAD) of the SGPC that if any ‘sirfire’ (disgruntled element) dared to repeat it, don’t stay indoors, come to Amritsar and confront them,” he said.

He added that to destabilise that ‘Panth’, the Centre, which comes out of EVMs, wanted to break the SGPC and run all Gurdwaras by forming Trusts controlled by it on the pattern of Temples because the SGPC was a State in itself.

Taking an opportunity, Sukhbir also unfolded his blueprint and goal for the future Punjab. Elaborating the works of development, Sikh history and war memorials during SAD’s tenure, he said, “When we form a govt, our maximum stress would be on health and education. Preserving the great Sikh and Punjab heritage will be the another focus area. In addition, we focus on world class infrastructure, and strive to clean our rivers and canals. But all this can only be achieved if we remain united and defeat those who want to divide us,” he added.

Describing Congress as ‘worst enemy of Sikhs’, he said, “Since the founding of the Khalsa more than 320 years ago, the Sikhs have faced three enemies, the Mughals, the British and the Congress. Of these, only Ahmad Shah Abdali and Indira Gandhi were responsible for demolition of Akal Takht. Now, some people want to gain control of our shrines with the same Congress sponsorship.”

He said throughout a century, the ‘Khalsa Panth’ has entrusted its faith in SAD. “Only the Sangat has the right to decide on the religious affairs of the community,” he said.

SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal said the issue of “patitpana” besides strengthening the “Dharam Parchar Lehar”. He said the SGPC would establish an advisory committee to resolve grievances of Sikhs worldwide. He said it was unfortunate that despite an announcement the centre had not released Sikh detainees who had completed their jail terms. He said an Art Gallery would also be established as part of the 100 year celebrations.

Others who spoke on the occasion included Golden Temple head granthi Giani Jagtar Singh, Takht Kesgarh Sahib Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, Takht Patna Sahib Jathedar Giani Ranjit Singh, DSGMC president Manjinder Singh Sirsa and Bibi Jagir Kaur.