AMRITSAR SAHIB, Punjab—Just after four days of dismissal of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib Jathedar Singh Sahib Giani Balwant Singh Nandgarh, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has constituted a five-members sub-committee to set rules and norms for qualification, appointments, jurisdiction and retirement of Jathedars of Sikh Takhts thereby endorsing the fact that Giani Nandgarh was sacked irresponsibly violating norms.
Talking to media persons in this regard, SGPC president Avtar Makkar said the sub-committee will comprise Punjab University vice-chancellor Dr. Jaspal Singh, Sikh historian Dr. Kirpal Singh Chandigarh, Dr. Prithipal Singh Kapur, Dr. Balwant Singh Dhillon Guru Nanak Dev University and Dr. Balkar Singh Patiala and SGPC secretary Dalmegh Singh would be coordinator.
Pertinently, he admitted that 150 members of SGPC who demanded dismissal of Giani Nandgarh, are not part of general house of the supreme elected Sikh body due to pending case in Supreme Court filed by Sehajdhari Sikh Federation.
On being asked about giving additional charge of Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib to Akal Takht Sahib head Granthi Giani Gurmukh Singh whose is already overburdened, he said they would see for some time and search alternative if he could not undertake the responsibility.
He lauded Giani Gurmukh Singh saying that he ensured ‘Maryada’ of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and his hard work and sincerity bear success of several services.
On being questioned about demand of constructing memorial of Shaheed Bhai Satwant Singh, Bhai Beant Singh and Bhai Kehar Singh being raised by Sikhs, he said portraits of the martyrs have already been installed in central Sikh Museum.
It is worth mentioning that in 1999, Bhai Ranjit Singh and in 2000, Giani Puran Singh were sacked non-respectfully and irresponsibly. In view of that, on March, 2000, five Singh Sahiban had ordered SGPC to set norms and rules for post of Takht Jathedars. In 2004, the then SGPC president Jathedar Gurcharan Singh Tohra had constituted a committee under noted Kirtani Bhai Jasbir Singh Khanne Wale. Due to demise of Bhai Sahib, norms could not be finalized.
