Amritsar Sahib (KP) – The installation of Singh Sahib Giani Gurbachan Singh as Akal Takht Sahib’s acting Jathedar was held this past week and was well attended by representatives of different Sikh organizations. Giani Gurbachan Singh was presented with dastars as a robe of honor by Sikh representatives to recognize his installation as the Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar. Several developments came the day the new acting Jathedar was formally installed.
Controversial Issues to be decided upon finalization of 300th anniversary
Talking from the Akal Takht Sahib Secretariat after his dastarbandhi, Giani Gurbachan Singh said that it is in the Panth’s best interests if controversial issues are not touched before the finalization of Guru Granth Sahib Ji’s 300th Gurtagaddi divas. He especially mentioned that the issues of the Sacha Sauda Cult and Dasam Granth Sahib will be reviewed in the near future as currently, the attention of all Panthic organizations is set on the celebrations in Hazoor Sahib.
While speaking on the case of Gurmeet Ram Rahim, Giani Gurbachan Singh asked the Punjab and Haryana State Governments to put a ban on his anti-Sikh activities. He further told the Sikh Sangat to remain optimistic regarding Gurmeet Ram Rahim’s cases in which justice was being delayed to the Sikhs.
Giani Iqbal Singh attends function, while former Jathedar Remains Absent
An interesting part of the installation ceremonies was that Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti remained absent from the whole event even though he was available locally at his place of residence. Giani Iqbal Singh, Jathedar Takht Sri Patna Sahib, however, was fully involved in the ceremonies and bestowed a dastar on the newly appointed Jathedar. When Giani Gurbachan Singh was asked regarding the new-admittance of Giani Iqbal Singh, he held that one’s shortcomings are not considered after they come under the Guru’s shelter. It should be noted that Giani Gurbachan Singh had signed the verdict banning Giani Iqbal Singh from future Akal Takht Sahib meetings just a month ago.
Appeal to Sikh organization to adhere to Akal Takht Sahib
Giani Gurbachan Singh asked Sikh organizations worldwide to adhere to mandates passed by Akal Takht Sahib while staying indifferent to classifications by sub-Sikh organizations. He alleged that while the issues of abortion, dera-vaad, and increased rate of apostasy from the Panth by the youth were on the rise, this was the time all Sikhs needed to work to unify under the banner of Akal Takht Sahib.
Call for uniformity in Maryada
Giani Gurbachan Singh alleged that there was an important need for the Khalsa Panth to unify its maryada across Gurdwaras, organizations, jathas and other institutions. While no courses of action were announced which would bring such uniformity, Giani Gurbachan Singh alleged that he would work with different organizations so differences in maryada could be eradicated.
This announcement has come at a time when some groups are seeking amendments to parts of the Sikh Rehit Maryada approved by Sri Akal Takht Sahib as well as the Nanakshahi Calendar. These groups include the Damdami Taksal, Sant Samaj, Takht Patna Sahib and others. As Giani Iqbal Singh has been readmitted to take part in Panthic matters, to what extend Giani Gurbachan Singh will work with him and others in bringing about this uniformity is yet to be seen.
New Head Granthi at Sri Harmandir Sahib, Vedanti also removed as Granthi
As now Giani Gurbachan Singh will be working as the acting Jathedar (which automatically gives him the role of Granthi at Sri Harmandir Sahib) he will no longer keep the status of being the Head Granthi there. Instead, the SGPC has already appointed Singh Sahib Giani Jaswinder Singh as the new Head Granthi. Giani Jaswinder Singh was formerly a Granthi at Harmandir Sahib.
Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, who was a Granthi at Harmandir Sahib before he was installed as the Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar, has also lost his position as Granthi. This will ensure a step back to an already short list of sevadars who fulfill important daily tasks at Sri Harmandir Sahib. Whether or not this will lead to a recollection of the dead idea of appointing Giani Jagtar Singh Jachak will be an interesting proposition to watch out for. The idea of appointing a Granthi affiliated with the Missionary College was earlier refused by Akal Takht Sahib.
Ceremonies conclude peacefully despite a big chance of a collision
Definitely the idea of removing Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti as the Takht Jathedar without consulting other Sikh organization was not going to be spared. As a consequence, the SGPC, along with the SAD, is facing backlash from Panthic organizations in all parts of the world. Where some organizations have served legal notices to the SGPC for wrongfully interfering in matters of Akal Takht Sahib, others have even pledged to remove the modern day pseudo-mahants who have taken over the charge of the SGPC.
To avoid any tensions at the ceremony, a large number of SGPC task force employees were deployed all over Sri Harmandir Sahib Complex. However, no clashes or disputes were noticed throughout the ceremonial procedures despite the presence of most Panthic representatives there.
