LUDHIANA: Akal Takht acting Jathedar Manjit Singh has said that his efforts for bringing about unity among the various Akali factions should not be construed as influencing Akali politics in any way of as propping up or bringing down any particular bader.

Talking to media persons, here, last week, he asserted, “I do not influence Akali politics, his1sin Keeping with the tradition set by the Jathedar Akali Phula Singh, who never resorted to such interference.”

The young high priest of the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs said that he was conscious that such interference could harm the Alkalis electorally. Hence, he was always consulting intellectuals in its task. He said the current unity move, therefore, had no connection with the coming’ by elections to the Nakodar and Ajnala assembly seats next month and he would not intervene in the nomination process. Similarly, he said, ““I have no link with the distribution of pany and other post among the Alkalis. I only want them to sit together.

 Manjit Singh explained that his aim was Panthic unity. “Alkalis are just a part of the Panth, not the entire Panth. So I don’t call Akali unity Panthic unity.” He said he had undertaken the unity move since divisions and mud-slinging among the Alkalis had pained the common Sikh and it was the feeling among the entire community that the Alkalis must be brought on one platform since they were a representative groups, of the Panth.

Meanwhile, several Akali leaders, including Jagdev Singh Talwandi, Baljit Singh Neclamahal, Jaswinder Singh Ballicwal, Gurinderpal Singh Dhanoula, Sarabjit Singh Jammu, Balwinder Singh Khoikipur and Gurkirpal Singh Ghauhani called on Manjit Singh here and reposed Taith in his actions.

Akali Dal (Manjit) president Manjit Singh had a long discussion here, last wee, with Damdami Taksal chief Baba Thakur Singh On the proposed unity move launched by the acting Akal Takht Jathedar. Manjit Singh, who has been authorized by his party men to take any decision regarding Panthic unity, said April 22, that the final decision of his party would be disclosed, He said he was meeting with various Panthic organizations to discuss in detail the unity move.

The supporters of Shiroman Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Gurcharan Singh Tohra, last week, decided not to turn their meeting here into a show of strength. The resignation of Parkash Singh Badal from the president ship of Akali Bal (Bada) had already been announced before the meeting started. Tohra attended the meeting in which the focus was on the likely legal complications which might arise in the wake of Akal Takht acting jathedar Manjit Singh initiating unity efforts. The meeting resolved that any decision taken by the acting jathedar would be observed in letter and spirit as a commandment from the divine authority. The resolution was moved by Bharpur Singh, who at ‘one time, was considered close to Badal.

The resolution stated that the Khalsa Panth in the eventful and chequened history of its existence always looked forward and abided by the directives from Akal Takht. Whosoever violated or side tracked this tradition, had been sidelined by the Sikh community. The meeting once again resolved to reiterate its faith of total subjection and subservience to Akal Takht.

Article extracted from this publication >> April 29, 1994