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Dal Khalsa joins issue with Takht Patna Jathedar |
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Punjab Newsline Network
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Thursday, 15 May 2008 |
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AMRITSAR: Dal Khalsa took a dig at the directive issued by Gaini Iqbal Singh, a Head Granthi of Takht Patna Sahib, excommunicating Prof Darshan Singh former Jathedar of the Akal Takht for opposing controversial 'Dasam Granth'.
Party general secretary Kanwar Pal Singh in a hard hitting statement said Wednesday that the concepts of Sandesh and Hukamnama have become hazed over the years because of the manner in which edicts have been handed over in recent years -from the blatant interventionist to the utterly ridiculous and the politically motivated.
He said like Giani Puran Singh, Iqbal Singh too has damaged the concept and relevance of the Hukamnama.
He said that in principle, Gaini Iqbal Singh has no right and authority to excommunicate any Sikh. He observed that no sensible person could follow such arbitrary verdict. Giving a clarion call to Sikh masses, he said, "Sikhs should not sit like a lame duck allowing the clergy to undermine, alter or mock with the Sikh principles, traditions and ethics." He stressed on the need to evolve norms and procedures for working and functioning of Takht Jathedar's otherwise the community would have to face such embarrassing situation then and now.
Reiterating that the Akal Takht was supreme, he said it was the prerogative of the Khalsa Panth to discuss and deliberate on issues of such nature at Akal Takht and after reaching a consensus it was the Jathedar of the Akal Takht who has authority to declare the verdict.
Blaming the religious leadership for failing to put their own house in order, he said, "Gaini Iqbal Singh has a past record of committing irresponsible acts. He has been challenging the uniformity of Sikh code of conduct and the supremacy of the Akal Takht since long." Virtually, holding Akal Takht Jathedar and the SGPC executive committee members responsible for the present state of affairs, he said that they allowed the situation to "worsen". |
