AMRITSAR — The district administration last evening released the S.G.P.C’s dismissed Jathedar, Bhai Jasbir Singh Rode along with three of his colleagues, the other former head Priests of other Takhats. These include Bhai Swinder Singh, Bhai Jaswant Singh, and Bhai Gurdev Singh. Immediately after their release from Central Jail Amritsar, Rode and his colleagues drove to Golden Temple and performed Ardas from outside the temple. Bhai Rode and his colleagues did not make any attempt to enter the Golden Temple.

Bhai Jasbir Singh, later, when asked questions by news men, refused to respond. He said that he will issue a Press statement after due consultations with the Panth. Later he left for Chowk Mehta, the headquarters of Damdami Taksal to participate in the congregation organized on the occasion of the 11th death anniversary of Sant

Here too, he parried all questions of the Pressmen. But responding to the persistent newsmen about the recent appointment of Prof. Darshan Singh Ragi as the head of Akal Takhat, Bhai Rode conceded it to be the prerogative of S.G.P.C. He further refused to be drawn into this controversy.

Before their departure for Chowk Mehta, the police restored their weapons, which were taken away at the time of their arrests.

Meanwhile Prof.Darshan Singh Ragi has been appointed as Jathedar of Akal Thakhat in place of. Harcharan Singh of Delhi. Prof. Darshan Singh has accepted his appointment, observing that it was the duty of every Sikh to undertake the assignment, given by the Panth. But Ragi did not specify the time, when he would assume the charge. He further said that he has to accomplish some of his domestic engagements before he could assume his duties. Talking to newsmen he described his priority as the Liberation of Golden Temple from govt. occupation. He questioned, “How could the religious duties be performed and how the Maryada could be maintained, when the shrine is under the govt. control?” Prof. Darshan Singh also declared that he was not after any office, but simply wanted to serve the Khalsa Panth. He stressed for a Panthie unity to achieve the objective of the “Glory of the Panth.”

Article extracted from this publication >> August 19, 1988