PATIALA: Prof Manjit Singh, acting Jathedar of Akal Takht, on Sept.18th Said that he would not make any unilateral announcement regarding “rehat maryada.
He said this in response to a question about a controversy over the decision of the sant samaj not to take part in the World Sikh Sammelan being held from ‘September 21-25 at Amritsar.
Prof Manjit Singh said the precondition laid down by the samaj that he should first make an announcement from Akal Takht regarding the inclusion of “rag mala” for completing sadaran path” or “akhand path” of Guru Granth Sahib ‘Was not acceptable to him.
He said he wanted/a consensus among all Panthic organizations, including Sant “sampardavas” on the issue of “rehat maryada.” For this purpose, a Committee of representatives of all important organizations and the SGPC should be constituted and its recommendations implemented. Any unilateral announcement by him would not solve the problem, he said.
Giving details about the background of the controversy, Prof Manjit Singh. Said he had held a meeting with representatives of the sant samaj, including Baba Sarabjot Singh Bedi, Baba makhan Singh and Baba Paramjit Singh on September 7 and all issues, including that of “rehat maryada” were discussed in detail. The other important issue was regarding the appointment of Jathedar of Akal Takht.
It was decided that a committee should be constituted and its decisions or recommendations should be implemented. The announcement regarding the implementation of the decisions was to be made by Akall Takht. All had agreed with this proposal and the sant samaj had given the names of nine “sant sampardavas” for inclusion in the committee.
Prof. Manjit Singh said he had given the names of 12 Sikh organizations. A 2i-member committee was to be constituted, but on September 9, leaders of the sant samaj said that the committee should have 25 members. The demand was accepted.
However, the sant samaj suddenly took the stand that a unilateral announcement should be made regarding “‘rehat maryada” before the World Sikh sammelan which he declined to do, said Prof Manjit Singh. Meanwhile in Ludhiana, Prof Manjit Singh, a former Jathedar of Akal Takht, has aid that the World Sikh Sammelan will not be representative in character as only “yesmen” have been invited to it.
He said he did not find any enthusiasm among the overseas Sikhs for the sammelan.
Prof Darshan Singh who has been Akal Takht Jathedar twice for four years has not been invited by the SGPC.
He justified the decision of the sant samaj to stay away from the sammelan and regretted that the SGPC and the Akal Takht Jathedar had not utilized their offer for negotiations.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 22, 1995
