By: Dr. Harjinder Singh Dilgeer Professor of Sikh Studies

On May 28, 1988 the SGPC dismissed the five Granthis, Jasbir Singh, Paran Singh, Jaswant Singh, Kashmir Singh and Sawinder Singh, from their respective Positions. The next day the Government arranged for a press conference for the is missed Granthis and a press release ‘Was issued by the Public Relations Department of the Government, The Government arrested Mall Singh Ghumman, the then Chief of the SGPC so that the dismissal may not become effective, Several other Akali lenders including Badal, Sukhjinder Singh, Surjan Singh Thekedar, Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Kuldip Singh ‘Wadala, were also arrested, They were transferred to remote jails.

After the dismissal of the five Granthis the SGPC made ad hoc appointments Harcharan Singh of Delhi (a known ally off pro government circles) was appointed ‘caretaker of Akal Takht Sahib. Another SGPC appointee was Pritam Singh who ‘had appeared on television on June 8, 1984 to state that Akal Takht Sahib’s ‘building had not been damaged during the event army attack. After the SGPC announced its list, Baba Gurbachan Singh Manochahal announced five more Granthis. So, by June 4, 1989 there were 15 Granthis who claimed to be but the ‘Sikhs considered all 15 occupants as bogus.

On May 26, 1988 the Indian government issued an ordinance declaring “Religion and politics are separate”, meaning thereby ‘Akal Takht Sahib had virtually no right to function. This was an open declaration that the Sikhs were not allowed to practice their basic philosophy of Miri and Piri. According to this Ordinance Akal Takht Sahib is not allowed to participate in Sikh politics. This was the final breach between the Sikhs and India. Until today not much action has been taken under this Ordinance but if it comes into practice, the breach between India and the Sikhs Shall be irrevocable. On August31, 1988, Ragi Darshan Singh Was reappointed the caretaker of the ‘SGPC and no reference were made to the anti-Sikh Ordinance. The leaders of the Akali Dals never understood the implosions of this Ordinance. Persecution of the Sikhs has continued. Since June4,1984,notasingle day passed ‘when one or more Sikhs were not killed by the resume or by the Hindus. On September 12, 1988, seven Sikh students were killed and 70 injured at Bidar (Kamatak).

Kamatak was ruled by the Janta Party, confirming that all Hindu parties had the ‘Same approach to the Sikhs. On January 6, 1989 Bhai Satwant Sineh and Kehar Singh were hanged. Kehar Singh was hanged without any evidence against him.

 The international judicial community was ‘shocked but did nothing: On January 13, 1989, several Sikhs were killed at Jammu by fundamentalist Hindus. Such killings were commonplace and most were never reported by the Hindu Press. An such an atmosphere elections to the Indian Lower House were held on November 26, 1989, In the Sikh Homeland the Akalis contested 9 out of 13 seats and ‘won them all. One seat was won by an ‘Akali supporter, Simranjeet Singh Maan, who won his seat by polling 90% of the total pooled votes. This was a clear verdict in favor of the Sikh freedom struggle. All Sikh candidates were supporters of Khalistan, When Bhai Dhian Singh Mand, who won after defeating the Deputy Prime Minister of India, went to take his seat in the Parliament, on December 22, 1989, he was asked to leave his religious sword outside the House, He refuse to renounce his article of faith. According to the Indian Laws too, the sacred Sikh sword is not a weapon (under Arms Act) and even entire there was a precedent set that Sikh leaders had attended the Legislative Houses with their article of faith in their hands or on their person, Thus, there was no question of In of logic. ‘The reason was haired for the Sikhs by the leadership of all the Hindu organizations, It is remarkable that Rogi Darshan Singh, who was the caretaker of ‘Akal Takht Sahib, said not a single word about the issue, ‘On June 6, 1990, Darbar Sahib was sealed by the V.P.Sinh regime and the Sikhs ‘were not allowed to say prayers at Darbar Sahib and Akal Takht Sahib. In spite of this some Sikhs still maintained that V.P.Sinh was not hostile to the Sikhs, In 1991, Chander Sheikhar succeeded V,P.Sinhas Prime Minister but the: were still denied access to their holiest shrines, Chander Sheikhar once invited the Sikh leaders for ulks. During one ‘conversation Chander Sheikhar became angry and said, ikhs you do not know the might of our armed forces, We shall kill 5000 Sikh youth and the world will know nothing about it.” Dr. Gurmit Singh of U.P, and Ragi Darshan Singh the caretaker of Akal Takht Sahib were present in the meeting. This fact was disclosed by Dr. Gurmit Singh but Ragi Darshan Singh concealed it, In August Ragi Darshan Singh left for a luxurious tour of Canada, America and England. ‘During the tour he stayed with the yes-men of the Indian regime. Justice Ajit Singh Bains and Dr. Hayjinder Singh Dilgeer, who both happened to be in Canada at that time, exposed Ragi Darshan Singh’s liaison with the Indian regime. Ragi Darshan Singh made a show of his disrespect for Guru Granth Sahib in a Gurdwara at Ottawa, Canada, when he, in a fit of anger, left the Gurdwara without paying obeisance.

Ragi Darshan Singh is a good singer and due to his singing he had several fans. When he was appointed as caretaker of Akal Takht Sahib, his vanity touched great heights. He began considering himself as the king of the Sikh nation. He began rebuking, instructing and dictating to the Sikh leaders. The Akali leadership began to realize its mistake. Before the Akali leaders could react, Ragi Darshan Singh, committed another act of foul play. He forgave, in the name of Akal Takht Sahib, Surjit Bamala. This was the same Surjit Bamala, who had attacked Darbar Sahib on April 30, 1986 (and several other Gurdwaras on that day and several times even after that), ‘and bad. during his regime Killed thousands of innocent Sikhs. Ragi’s forgive ness, however, Was never accepted by the Sikh nation, Bveryono knew that it was conspiracy between the two (or more), Sujit Bamala never made any apology before “If have done any mistake I may be forgiven, ‘According to the Sikh intelligentsia, the whole drama was directed by the Delhi regime, Soon after, Regi Darshan Singh, in a five of rage, resigned as caretaker of Akal ‘Takht Sahib, The Akali leaders were waiting for the opportunity and his resignation was gladly accepted.

Bhai Ranjit Singh of Delhi, who was on trial for the murder of the chief of Nirankari cult was appointed as the next caretaker of ‘Akal Takht Sahib but he was in a Delhi it, His appointment was a gesture of honor. (OnMarch27, 1993 Bhai Ranjit Singh was sentenced to three terms of life imprisonment for three murders). On February 4, 1993, Bhai Manjit Singh (Prof.), caretaker of Takht Kesh Gash Sahib, Aanandpur Sahib ‘was appointed as officiating caretaker of ‘Akal Takht Sahib.

On January 3, 1993, the police killed Bhai Gurdev Singh Kaonke in fake encounter, He had been officiating as caretaker of ‘Akal Takht Sahib in 1986, On February 28, 1993, Baba Gurbachan Singh Manochahal was also killed by police in a fake encounter, Manochehal was a member of the Panthic Commitice appointed by Sikh freedom fighters belonging to Bhindran Mehta Tatha and had declared himself as caretaker ‘of Akal Takht Sahib on October 23, 1987. During this period, the Anti-Sikh School of teachers published several writings against ‘Sikh scriptures and Sikh philosophy. These ‘writers included McLeod (the leader of the Anti-Sikh School), Pashaura Sin, Harjot Oberoi, J,Grewal etc. Besides them, Dr. Piar Singh, 100, presented blasphemous material, Akal Takht Sahib was approached by the Sikh intelligentsia to summon these persons, On January 29, 1993, Dr. Piar Singh and Pashaura Sinh were issued notice by Akal Takht Sahib. On April 1, 1993, Dr. Piar Singh appeared at Akal Takht Sahib and apologized. He was ordered to clean the shoes of the congregation in any Gurdwara for 40 days and also to recite Japuji Sahib and Sukhmani Sahib in addition to Niznem (daily prayer). Bhai Manjit Singh is said to have had a meeting with Dr, Piar Singh before the latter could appear at Akal Takht Sahib. To be continued…

Article extracted from this publication >> June 23, 1995