CHANDIGARH: Mr. Simranjit Singh Mann asked Capt Amarinder Singh to abdicate as Maharaja of Patiala before backing any move to serve the Punjab Assembly with himself at the head of an Akali ministry.
In an interview here the Akali Dal chief recalled that when Maharaja Yadav Indra Singh of Patiala’ died, the then Akali Dal chief Jathedar Mohan Singh Tur, had confirmed the title of _ raja on Capt Amarinder Singh and declared him as the Maharaja of the Sikhs. Even the Sikh guru Hargobind gave the Maharaja a unique position among the Sikhs by declaring “tera ghar so mera”.
Mr. Mann likened the station of Capt Amarinder Singh to the predicament of the British King Edward VIII when he married an American Mrs. Simpson. Since he was the head of the Aglican church he was told by the then Prime Minister that he would have to abdicate if he wanted to marry the American woman. The king chose to marry the woman.
Similarly, Capt Amarinder should remain maharaja of the Sikhs or not. Keeping the view the Sikh constitutional position” Mr. Mann said “I would have him to maintain his position as a Maharaja and not lower his prestige as it would lead to divisions among the Sikh nation.
The Sikhs were fighting against the tyranny of the state and I would appeal to him to join us in this glorious struggle. He should rise above petty political considerations.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 7, 1990
