Amritsar Sahib, Punjab - Sikh activists aligned to Simranjit Singh Mann president of Amritsar Akali Dal Sunday became involved in an confrontation with Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Avtar Singh Makkar inside the premises of Akal Takht Sahib during the religious function here. In return, the Badal backed Jathedars took the controversial step of banning Simranjit Singh Mann from future religious functions, causing a worldwide criticism of their action.
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Parkash Badal was also present on the occassion. Both the leaders were safely escorted out from the venue.
The five Sikh high priests later issued a controversial edict from Akal Takht asking Sikhs not to allow Mann to attend any religious function. Mann , a former IPS officer had resigned from his post in wake of Operation Blue Star at Darbar Sahib in 1984, and is highly popular with the Sikh diaspora.
Makkar's turban fell on the ground when he was roughed up by over a dozen youth carrying swords, eyewitnesses said. SGPC was observing the 400th foundation day of Akal Takht Sahib, the highest temporal seat of Sikhs in the premises of Golden Temple where Mann was present with his supporters. Media was also present in strength during the function.
The situation took turn for the worst when Mann was not granted permission to speak in the congregation organized by the SGPC. Supporters of Mann then attacked SGPC Chief and snatched the mike from him. Before the situation slipped out of control, the task force of the SGPC came forward and provided heavy security cover to Makkar and Badal and provided them safe passage.
When some of the attendees waved naked swords in the air the religious functions was disrupted, which forced SGPC to conclude the function before schedule. Hundereds of Sikh devotees including females and kids who were present on this occasion ran in panic out of the venue.
After the incident in joint press conference Makkar and Badal blamed Simarnjit Singh Mann for instigating his supporters to make an attack on Makkar. Makkar and Badal described the action of Mann as against ethics and tenets of Sikh religion. They said this had happened in the presence of Guru Granth Sahib. However, Simarnjit Singh Mann blames the violence on the negligence of the SGPC staff.
Badal alleged that unscrupulous elements who attacked and removed the turban of Makkar were belonging to the ruling State Congress party which clearly indicates the hands of the state Government to interrupt the religious functions oc SGPC. He provided no evidence to support these claims, however.
Meanwhile five Sikh head priests Joginder Singh Vedani head priest Akal Takht Amritsar, Iqbal Singh head priest Patna Sahib, Tarlcohan Singh Head Priest Takht Kesgarh Sahib at Anandpur in Roapr, Balwant Singh head priest of Takht Damdama Sahib and Jotinder Singh from Takht Hazoor Sahib Maharashtra, in religious edict issued from the Akal Takht directed Sikh community not to allow Mann to participate in any Sikh religious function due to his anti Sikh activities.
Others who are banned included Baldev Singh Sirsa, Bhai Ram Singh, Harcharan Singh and Varinder Singh Mann.
The controversial edict is being criticized in Panthic circles and biased and a political ploy to supress the independent and Panthic voices of anti-Badal opponents. Critics stated that this is proof of the misuse of the sacred Sikh institutions and sets a disturbing precedent for undermining the independent authority of the Sikh Takht.
