AMRITSAR, Punjab, India: If the government succeeded in obstructing the holding of Sarbat Khalsa on Diwali Day, it could do so only after imposing a curfew for 30 hours within the walled city of Amritsar and sealing all the main approaches to the holy city. This attitude and action of the government virtually dampened the spirit of the celebration of Diwali. For two days, the city provided a deserted look. The whole operation was supervised ‘by the senior most officers of the State government including additional D.G. Police, Mr. Gill.

But it appeared that the government still failed in the totality of its mission. The five members Panthic Committee released the text of the Gurmattas, passed by the Sarbat Khalsa, held on Diwali Day. The Committee issued four hand written pages to the press which announced the appointment of Jathedar Gurbachan Singh Manochahal as the acting Jathedar of Akal Takht and dismissed Prof. Darshan Singh Ragi from the post, ‘The note said that three persons appointed by Sarbat Khalsa will act in place of three head priests.

Who were arrested recently? The new incumbents were Bhai Dalip Singh, Jathedar Kesh Garh Sahib, ‘Anandpur Sahib, Bhai Manveer Singh, Jathedar Damdama Sahib Talwandi Sabo and Bhai Darshan Singh of V. Mallewal as head priest of Akal Takht, Amritsar. All of them, the press note said will discharge their responsibilities, ‘while remaining underground.

‘The press note also asked Bhai Puran Singh, the head priest of Golden Temple to give full cooperation and support to the newly appointed priests.

The press note further said that foot conniving with the government for the attack on the Golden Temple, the Sarbat Kahlsa excommunicated Parkash Singh Badal, Gurcharan Singh Tohra and Kabal Singh from the Panth.

In all 12 resolutions were contained in the press note, signed by the five member Panthic Committee including Bhai Kanwarjit ~ Singh, a resident of village Sultanwind, district Amritsar. The other members were Bhai Gurbachan Singh Manochahal, Bhai Wassan Singh, Bhai Dalbir Singh and Bhai.

Balwinder Singh. The new member was taken in place of Bhai Gurdey Singh Usmanwale who ‘was recently killed by the police in 1 fake encounter.

‘The press note dubbed the Akali Party and S.GP.C. As the outfits of the government. It further declared that the Sikhs were aware of the black sheep in the Panth.

‘The press note also declared that the Panth will give a befitting, reply to the policy of bullets of the government. The note stated that the government till fighting with their faces to walls and have cleverly put Akalis in front, But the Panth will continued to make sacrifices.

The Sarbat Khalsa called upon the freedom fighting organizations not to hold any talks with the government unless the issue of Khalistan was not put on the agenda.

The Sarbat Khalsa also rejected the appointments of the three head “priests made by S.GP.C. In place of the ones arrested recently by the police.

There was a full paragraph about Darshan Singh in that note that was charged with cheating the Sikh community with the jugglery of words. Darshan Singh was also charged for misinteracting the ion that Shabad was more powerful a weapon than sword. The Committee stated that both had its importance and value at their own places.

The press note appealed to the Sikhs to approach U.N.O. to stress upon the violation of Human Rights being committed by the Indian government against the Sikhs.

It also appreciated the role of the Panthic Committee in conducting the affairs of the Panth at this critical juncture.

 

Article extracted from this publication >>  October 30, 1987