Jathedar Vedanti .......????

[Harbhajan]

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060203/punjab1.htm#4

Jathedar Vedanti’s directive on

Sarna brothers criticised

Varinder Walia

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 2

The Sikh organisations and Panthic leaders today criticised Akal Takht Jathedar following the issuance of ‘unprecedented interim directive’ asking the Sikh Panth to boycott socially Sarna brothers and three other Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) members. The Dal Khalsa ‘disowned’ (Jathedar, Akal Takht) for his ‘biased decisions’.

The Dal Khalsa announced that no case or petition would be made to Akal Takht till Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti was its Jathedar.

However, Akal Takht Secretariat said that Sikh clergy might take strict action against all those who would violate the ‘interim orders’ against Sarna brothers and three DSGMC members .

Former Akal Takht, Jathedar Prof Darshan Singh sought the ‘social boycott’ of Jathedar Vedanti for his ‘worst performance’ as Jathedar. He said that it was unbecoming of the Akal Takht, Jathedar to act as a ‘slave’ of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal). He said the ‘interim order’, on the social boycott of the DSGMC chief without giving him an opportunity of being heard was ‘shocking’. He said the Sikh masses would have to take a decision whether or not to take any petition before Jathedar Vedanti.

Violating the directive of the Akal Takht, Jathedar, Dal Khalsa leaders talked to Mr Harwinder Singh Sarna, President, DSGMC on telephone despite the call of ‘social boycott’ given by Jathedar Vedanti.

In a hard-hitting letter to the Akal Takht, Jathedar, Prof Darshan Singh, alleged that the Jathedar Vedanti was being used as rubber stamp by the vested interests.

Meanwhile, addressing a press conference Mr Satnam Singh Paonta Sahib Mr Harcharanjit Singh Dhami and Mr Kanwar Pal Singh, leaders of the Dal Khalsa, described the decision of Jathedar Vedanti as unprincipled. They held Mr Vedanti responsible for eroding supremacy of Akal Takht by following the dictates of Mr Parkash Singh Badal and his coterie.

They said, “We will continue our cooperation with Sarna brothers on issues pertaining to the Sikhs. We appeal to Sikh Panth not to follow the directive of Mr Vedanti and his co-jathedars since it was aimed of giving political benefit to Mr Badal and his company in the coming elections to management of Delhi Gurdwaras.

They said time had come when Sikhs would have to confront persons occupying high posts, and who had been misusing their powers. They called upon the Sikhs to save the honour and dignity of Akal Takht Sahib from the clutches of modern ‘Mahants’.

They said their party would start a movement on the pattern of the Singh Sabha Lehar to save religious institutions from the politicians, who had no agenda other than of remaining in power.

They said there was a long list of violations of Sikh principles and maryada by Akalis due to the weakness of Mr Vedanti, who never considered to punish them.

[Harbhajan]

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060204/punjab1.htm#1

Sikh bodies train guns on Akal Takht Jathedar

Our Correspondent

Amritsar, February 3

While the radical Sikh organisation, the Khalra Mission Committee (KMC), today gave an ultimatum to Akal Takht Jathedar to resign from his post, a former Akal Takht high priest alleged that the directive was issued at the behest of Shiromani Akali Dal president Parkash Singh Badal.

In a significant turn of events, former head priest Akal Takht Giani Bhagwan Singh said the directive by the jathedar smacked of partisan approach.

He said the results of such actions would be hard to control by the SAD. He appealed to the Sikh community to oppose the decision of the jathedar.

The former head priest said those who talked of “violation of maryada†in foreign countries should look at their own actions.

He added that the jathedar by his actions had dimmed the halo of the revered seat of Akal Takht.

Echoing similar concern, the Punjab Human Rights Organisation castigated the jathedar for acting at the behest of Mr Badal and dealing a serious blow to the “Sikh maryadaâ€.

Harmandeep Singh and Bibi Paramjit Kaur Khalra, chairman and member, KMC, respectively, and Justice Ajit Singh Bains (retd) and Kirpal Singh, chairman and deputy chairman, PHRO, respectively, said the decision of social boycott was made at the behest of Mr Badal and violated “religious ethosâ€.

Denying any connection with Sarna brothers, they asserted that they could not condone wrong actions and asked the jathedar to clarify why a “siropa†was bestowed on Mr Badal after his bail on charges of corruption.

They raised a questions on the integrity of the jathedar for not summoning Mr Badal and his wife for alleged connections with Swami Chandraswami and Ashutosh.

Mr Baldev Singh, who heads the Akhand Kirtani Jatha, in a statement said the controversy was unfortunate and the matter should be resolved through discussion. He suggested that SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar should intervene immediately.