LUDHIANA: In a historic decision the Akal Takht has absolved Amarjit Singh Grewal of Punjab Agricultural University of the holy Guru Granth Sahib in his article The Relevance of Guru Granth Sahib in the Creation of 21st Century Man and Society.

Grewal was given the clean shift recently by acting jathedar of Akal Takht Manjit Singh at the highest temporal seat of Sikhism in Amritsar

Bhagwan Singh head granthi of the Takht Joginder Singh Vedanti and Johan Singh grant his of Darbar Sahib and Jewal Singh jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib were also present on the occasion and were instrumental in taking the decision. The decision was based on the report of three eminent scholars of Sikhism Darshan Singh Kulwant Singh and Gumam Kaur who were entrusted on May 18 with the task of making a critical study of the Controversial article and submit their report within a week to Akal Takht

The controversy was set off when the Guru Gobind Study Circle in the middle of May approached the Akal Takht chief in this context and demanded action against the writer when 100-page article was published in Vismad a journal in January last.

 Grewal is also the editor of the quarterly journal brought out by the authorities Of Gurdwara Gurgian Parkash at Jawaddi Kalan near here. According to reliable sources the Sikhs high priest not only as published in the writ also welcomed the spirit of discourse and discussion showed by him and gave him a green signal to carry on his literary and religious activities. The decision assumes significance because it seeks to silence those who were opposed to any discussion on the holy book and is expected to serve as a morale booster for researchers of Sikh scriptures. Darshan Singh chairman of Department of Guru Nanak Sikh Studies at Punjab University Chandigarh in his two-page critique had pointed out the short comings in Grewal’s article which he observed had failed to properly interpret the holy Granth through its Marxist approach.

 He admitted that there were mistakes in the article but these were not those which had been pin-pointed by the Study Circle Singh was however constrained to remark his approach of Amarjit Singh is an academic challenge while that of the Study Circle is a disappointment for me The Study Circle could be expected to accept this challenge al the academic level. The noted scholar further termed as pointless and wrong the demand of Study Circle to summon the writer at Akal Takht and award him punishment It is a Bea of their defeatist mentality he said-exhorting to Study Circle to accept the  challenge and refrain from spreading the darkness it wish to remove.

 Kulwant Singh of Khalsa College Amritsar in his brief report had identified some objectionable portions in the write-up and suggested that by altering or editing those portions the research paper could be attuned to feelings of the Guru Granth and Sikh mentality.

 At the same time he lauded the writer for highlighting the worldwide relevance of the holy book. Similarly Guam Kaur of Punjabi University Patiala also found no cause to dub the articles as anti-Sikh or anti-Guru Granth Sahib. She regarded it necessary for academic guidance. She deplored that the criticism leveled by the Study Circle was against the writings of his writing had hurt any body’s Sentiments.

Article extracted from this publication >> June 17, 1994