Amritsar
( Justice News)
Sikh thinker Professor Sarchand Singh Khiala said that the decision by the Badals’ “Jathedar,” Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, to summon Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on January 15 is, in reality, part of a well-planned exercise to protect Sukhbir Singh Badal’s close aide S.S. Kohli, who has been arrested in connection with the case of 328 missing sacred Saroops.
He said that the decision to summon the Chief Minister is not only against Panthic traditions but is completely contrary to Sikh history and established Maryada.
Professor Khiala categorically stated that there has never been any tradition of summoning an apostate (patit) Sikh to Sri Akal Takht Sahib. If a mistake is believed to have been committed, admonition or guidance may be issued, but the practice of summoning is not part of Panthic norms or discipline.
He said it is deeply unfortunate that the Shiromani Akali Dal is once again repeating the same history that has, on several occasions, pushed the Panth into crisis. Today, yet again, in order to protect their favoured individual in the 328 sacred Saroops case and to obstruct the legal proceedings of the SIT, an attempt is being made to exert pressure on Chief Minister Mann through their “Jathedar” by invoking the pretext of “religious defiance.” However, the Sangat is watching everything closely and fully understands that this is yet another instance of the Badals misusing Sri Akal Takht Sahib.
Professor Khiala said it is astonishing that on one hand, the Akali leadership speaks of the supremacy of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, while on the other hand, every possible tactic is being employed to protect a person who has been held guilty in the report of the inquiry committee constituted by Sri Akal Takht Sahib itself—an individual whom the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee has already declared guilty and against whom it has passed a resolution for action.
He further said that this is not the first time questions have been raised regarding the issue of not placing money into the Guru Ki Golak. Many individuals in the past, including several missionary preachers, have made similar statements against the political misuse of Guru Ki Golak by the Akalis.
Regarding Khalsa Maryada, Professor Khiala stated that the ancient Khalsa Rehat Maryada continues to be strictly followed at the five Takhts and Sri Darbar Sahib, and this tradition is mandatory.
As far as the issue of a singer performing Kirtan is concerned, he said there is ample historical and contemporary evidence that individuals who are not in “sabat soorat” (unshorn form) have been performing Kirtan even today. In India, the Sindhi community reveres Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji with full devotion despite not being in sabat soorat. Similarly, in Pakistan, many members of Sindhi and Hindu communities regularly perform Kirtan in Gurdwaras.
Professor Khiala also clarified that the Rehat Maryada being propagated as “Panth-approved” is, in reality, still only a draft and has not received full and final Panthic approval to date.
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