AMRITSAR, Punjab, India: Jathedar Kashmir Singh, the Head Priest of the Akal Takht who was earlier asked by the S.GP.C, to return to Tarn Taran Gurdwara, declined to go there. He told newsmen, why should he vacate the seat as he was appointed Akal Talcht’s Head Priest by the Sarbat Khalsa Convention on January 26, 1985, He said the highest seat in Sikh religion could not remain vacant, According to Akal ‘Takht circles there has been a vacuum in the control and management of the Gurdwara as the ‘Acting S.GP.C. President and other office bearers are refusing to visit Amritsar and exercise their authority. Even the offices of the two Akali Dals are lying vacant. Insiders believe that Prof, Darshan Singh will not return to Amritsar and is refusing to enter into confrontation either with the freedom fighters now controlling the Golden Temple or with his four other colleagues who are siding with the freedom fighters and enjoy the backing of the powerful Panthic Committee. S.G-P.C. is also reluctant to come into clash with any group here apprehending bloodshed in a direct confrontation with the freedom fighters.
Meanwhile, World Sikh Organization Governing Council members, Dr. Gurinder Singh Grewal, and S, Gurcharan Singh Dhillon in a statement extended full support to Jathedar Kashmir Singh’s stand, No Sikh who abdicates his responsibilities at a moment of crisis, deserves to occupy the highest Sikh seat of Akal Takht Chief, they said. They also appealed to Sikhs everywhere to support Jathedar Kashmir Singh and Bhai GurJit Singh, President All India Sikh Students Federation.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 2, 1987
