AMRITSAR SAHIB—Panj Singh Sahiban (Highest presidium of five Sikhs) led by appointed Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Gurbachan Singh, was unable to reach any decision in the case of clash which took place at Sri Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) Complex on June 6, 2014. Giani Gurbachan Singh, however, stated that Simranjit Singh Mann president of Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), and other panthik groups were never cleared of their alleged involvement in the violent clash. Panj Singh Sahiban held a meeting on Sunday at the Akal Takht Sahib. The Darbar clash was main issue on their agenda.
Giani Gurbachan Singh said, “It is a violation of maryada (religious code of conduct) to let any political leader deliver speech from the Sri Akal Takht Sahib. No politician can use the highest temporal seat as a dais to instigate, or gain any vested mileage.”
“It was not right for Panthik groups to raise pro-Khalistan slogans during the congregation held to mark 30th anniversary of June 1984 holocaust. When Mann was asked to pacify his supporters, he tried to address the gathering and demanded a microphone,” he said.
The issues pertaining to the transportation of Guru Granth Sahib overseas were also discussed in the meeting. Panj Singh Sahiban have sought suggestions from the community about the appropriate mode of transportation.
The Takht also directed Gurdwara committees to install CCTV cameras and depute at least two attendants round the clock in shrines to avoid damage to the sacred saroop (form) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib in case of fire.
The presidium found Harminder Sing,h a Bengaluru-based Sikh who is a member of a gurdwara management committee,guilty of desecrating a Gurdwara and declared him tankhaiya (guilty of religious misconduct).
“He was found indulging in immoral acts inside the premises of the Gurdwara and he did not desist in spite of our written warnings,” said Akal Takht jathedar, adding, “The ‘guilty’ Sikh has been directed to appear before the Akal Takht Sahib during the next meeting of the Panj Singh Sahiban. The date will be intimated to him.”
The Singh Sahiban at its meeting also took note of certain derogatory remarks that were passed against the Akal Takht jathedar by Gurcharan Singh Babbar, a Delhi-based Sikh, who runs an organization called the ‘All India Sikh Conference’. Babbar had in a recent article in a Punjabi magazine, criticized the functioning of the jathedar. He too has been asked to appear before the Sri Akal Takht Sahib at the next meeting.
Panj Singh Sahiban counselwho took part in the meeting of five included:
- Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Gurbachan Singh
- Takht Keshgarh Sahib Jathedar Giani Mal Singh
- Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Balwant Singh
- Nandgarh, Sri Harmandir Sahib head Granthi Giani Jagtar Singh
- and Giani Sukhjinder Singh, a Granthi of Sri Harmandir Sahib.
