AMRITSAR: Akal Takht Jathedar, Bhai Ranjit Singh, who reached here, was received outside Amritsar near Chati wind by Akali Dal president Parkash Singh Badal and general secretary Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa. Bhai Ranjit Singh Was brought in a procession as a large number of Sikh devotees had joined his motorcade on the way from Delhi. The jathedar was given a rousing welcome on reaching here. Gurcharan Singh Tohra caretaker president of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Jagdev Singh Talwandi a senior party leader and Parmjit Singh Calcutta, secretary of the SGPC, accompanied Bhai Ranjit Singh in his open jeep. The entire Golden Temple complex was illuminated to welcome Bhai Ranjit Singh. According to a spokesman of the SGPC, the release of Bhai Ranjit Singh from jail and his arrival at Akal Takht is a historic event. Tight security arrangements were made in and around the Golden Temple complex in the wake of the arrival of Bhai Ranjit Singh, from Delhi, after his release form the Tihar Jail. The Jathedar was taken to the Darbar Sahib where he paid obeisance at the Sanctum Sanctorum. Later he was presented Siropas at Akal Takht by acting Jathedar of Akal Takht Bhai Manjit Singh, Gurcharan Singh Tohra, and Baba Thakar Singh head of Damdami Taksal, Sant Nihal Singh and Sant Sur Singh. Addressing the congregation, Tohra Said that Bhai Ranjit Singh had restored the honor of Sikh community. (Bhai Ranjit Singh had killed Baba Gurbachan Singh, the Chief of Nimakani mission). He said that Bhai Ranjit Singh’s name will be inscribed in gold letters in the Sikh history. He said the Jathedars release from jail was a victory for the Sikh Panth. He said that court had convicted Bhai Ranjit Singh to 82 years of prison, which was challenged by the SGPC and court released him on bail.

Bhai Manjit Singh the outgoing Akal Takht Jathedar said the antipathy forces had tried to malign the name of religious leaders but they didn’t succeed. He called upon the Sikhs to cooperate with Bhai Ranjit Singh who is a dedicated and religious person. He said that he had tried to maintain the high traditions of the Akal Takht and would continue to serve the community. The police had made elaborate arrangements since early morning. The Black Cat commandos were deployed on the periphery of the Golden Temple complex.

 

Article extracted from this publication >>  October 23, 1996