AMRITSAR, India: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbanthic Committee has retracted its resolution of September 12, and said it held the five Sikh High Priests in the highest esteem and there was no question of challenge their authority. A clarification issued after a closed door, two hour meeting, between the four member delegation of the S.G.P.C. Executive Committee and three Head Priests here  said they also did not challenge the acting Akal Takht Jathedar, Prof, Darshan ‘Singh’s handing over the authority to the freedom fighters to lead the Sikh masses. Further they stood for the unity of all Sikh organizations who were anxious to remove differences between the S.G:P.C. and the High Priests that had arisen between them soon after the acting President of SG.P.C,, Harinder Singh, had received conflicting messages from two militant organizations, The letter sent by Gurbachan Singh Manochail, a Panthic Committee Member and General Labh Singh, Chief of the Khalistan Commando Force, had taken strong exception over the S.G.P.C.’s critical stand in conection with the Priests’ call, The S.G.P.C. Executive Members had arrived in response to the invitation issued by S.GP.C, Secretary Bhan Singh, and they met the Head Priests at the residence of Jathedar Kashmir Singh, the Head Priest of Akal Takht where the resolution was written out. They were Harinder Singh, Ujagar Sigh Rangretta, Junior Vice-President, PS. Khushipur, and Niranjan Singh Rohri, The Head Priests present were Kashmir Singh, Swinder Singh, and Puran Singh. The resolution was released by Kuldip Singh Bhatia, Assistant Secretary of S.G.P.C. Harinder Singh told newsmen that it signifys the withdrawal of the September 12th statement issued at Chandigarh wherein they had criticized the Sikh Head Priests, He went on to claim that the S.G.P.C, delegation while offering their profound apologies has denied issuing the critical statement and termed it as misreporting on ‘the part of the Press. He declined to comment on whether the Priests were satisfied with the explanation, Asked if the ‘controversy had ended following the resolution, he said that the Four Head Priests will meet shortly and issue a statement.

 

Article extracted from this publication >>  September 25, 1987