AMRITSAR: Professor Manjit Singh, acting Jathedar of the Akal Takht, on April 1, declared Dr. Piar Singh, a former head of the Punjabi department of Guru Nanak Dey University, here, “guilty” of challenging the authenticity of Guru Granth Sahib, in his recently published book, “Gatha Sn Adi Granth,” which had hurt the religious sentiments of the Sikh community.

The book, based on five years of meticulous research, had been published by the university, in October last.

‘The verdict was announced at the makeshift Akal Takhat from the Golden Temple complex.

The ‘Hukumnama, pronounced by the head priest, Prof Manjit Singh, said the author was found *Tankhaiya’ (guilty) of religious misconduct for challenging the authenticity of the Sikh scripture in certain references in his book.

Prof Manjit Singh ordered Dr.Singh to appear before the Takht prior to the announcement of the verdict (“aadesh”). Dr.Singh stood in front of the highest temporal holy seat of the Sikhs till the jathedar announced the verdict.

Prof Manjit Singh said that Dr.Singh had accepted all misdemeanors (“dosh”) committed by him and had also given a commitment that he would abide by the Takht verdict in letter and spirit.

In keeping with tradition, Singh would have to do the following, perform sewa in penance, for a period of 40 days:

(1) recite the holy hymns (“bani) from Japil Sahib at Gurdwara Ramsar Sahib (where Sn Guru Granth Sahib was edited), (2) recite holy hymns from Sukhmani Sahib at the same place, (3) dust the shoes of Sikh sangat, (4) sweep the Gurdwara, and (5) after completing this service, make an offering of “the karah parsad” for Rs 101 at the Akal Takht. There: after, he will also offer prayers at the same place.

Only after undergoing this penance would Dr, Singh be considered to have atoned for his mistakes.

The verdict also cared that there should be no controversy about the book in the press without the permission of the Akal Takht.

The research findings described in the book will further distort future work in the field of Sikh religion. The SGPC had appealed to the Akal Takht that since the “Gurbani is a revelation” any move to create doubts about its authenticity should be curbed immediately.

He said that the five Singh

Punjab Liquor vend auction fetches Rupees 114 crore

Chandigarh. The Government of India is encouraging increase in liquor intake in Punjab. Though the local population led by the AISSF body is highly against intake of liquor and asking for ban of liquor shops the slate government has been conducting auction of the liquor vends under the protection of the state police. This year the Government has collected a huge sum of rupees 114 crores through these auctions.

The new excise policy for 199394 had stated that quality of liquor would be improved to lure more people to this habit and also gather increased revenue from the excise duty levied on liquor. Sahibans had gone through the findings of the 31member committee, regarding Dr.Singh’s book on Wednesday, at a meeting here and had decided to summon him to Akal Takht.

They are Bhai Hakam Singh, Jathedar Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Saboo, Giani Bhagwan Singh, head granthi Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Mohan Singh, head granthi Darbar Sahib, Giani Harcharan Singh a senior Granthi of the Darbr Sahib.

Prof Manjit Singh said that the Akal Takht will not permit any Sikh to defame or cast aspersions on the Sn Guru Granth Sahib. The Sikhs should show reverence to this holy book. He also announced the constitution of a Sikh religious board for sorting out Sikh religious disputes.

Article extracted from this publication >>  April 9, 1993