AMRITSAR: Has the SGPC Secretary, Mr. Manjit Singh, resigned or retreated?
His conspicuous absence from the SGPC since February 1 has become a subject of intense debate and speculation in Akali circles. According to informed sources, Mr. Manjit Singh, who is also the General Secretary of the Unified Akali Dal, left for Calcutta on February 1 amidst reports that he had “sharp differences” with the UAD President, Mr. Jagdev Singh Talwandi, over the issue of administering the SGPC.
All efforts to persuade him to return to Amritsar have proved abortive so far.
Mr. Talwandi, who is said to have a soft corner both for the “boys” and the Damdami Taksal; is reported to have asked the SGPC to exercise restraint while implementing the Executive Committee decision on retrenchment, His line of argument was that some. Of the employees might take to the gun and become outlaws.
What further precipitated the crisis are reports that a sum of Rupees 1.50 lakhs was “embezzled” from different “goals” in the gurdwaras. The SGPC Secretary probably does not want to face it. Some SGPC officials and employees reportedly strongly resisted the economy drive, which included repayment of loans (running into lakhs of rupees) taken by the employees, recovery of petrol and telephone bills and other expenses.
Even in the matter of recruitment the set rules and regulations have been violated with impunity. No blood relations of the SGPC employees down from executive member to an ordinary sewadar can be employed, but there are instances galore where this rule has been flouted.
Certain appointments were made wherein false documents and forged signatures were submitted.
There is yet another controversy. Under the beautification plan around the Golden Temple complex, the Government has acquired nearly 182 properties owned by the SGPC. In lieu, the SGPC is to get a compensation of Rs 1.80 crore. Out of this amount, Rs 61 lakh has already been paid.
About 35 SGPC members, owning allegiance to the Akali Dal (Longowal) once led by Mr. Surjit Singh Barnala, have asked the SGPC not to accept the money but seek land in return for the acquitted properties. Even Mr. Surjit Sinoh Rarnala. Who was here on Wednesday, pleaded for accepting. land in lieu of compensation.
The reports had also indicated that certain SGPC officials had offered to “surrender” these buildings housing the offices of political parties.
The SGPC sources said that the land and the building housing the office of the Akali Dal (Longowal) belonged to the SGPC. The land and building structure facing it (which once housed the Talwandi faction and the AllIndia Sikh Students Federation office) was given on lease. That building, still incomplete, had been constructed by the undivided Akali Dal.
On the other hand the Governor, Mr. SS. Ray has often said that there was “no quarrel” with the SGPC.
Another point of discord between Mr. Manjit Singh and Mr. Talwandi pertains to resumption of “kar seva” of Akal Takht, which has remained suspended since Operation Black Thunder in May last year. The “kar seva” of the building had primarily been executed by the Damdami Taksal. There has been pressure to give control of Kar Seva to Taksal which Manjit Singh and the government do not want.
The crucial question is will Mr. Manjit Singh come back? Some head priests have also contacted him but he has not responded.
Such internal squabbles, factionalism and working at cross purposes are also likely to jeopardize the much talked about “unity” efforts to form single Akali Dal,. In that process the major hurdle is ego” as candidly admitted by Mr. Barnala here on Wednesday.
Article extracted from this publication >> March 3, 1989
