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Summons issued to Sarna and 19 others from Akal Takht Sahib; Pehowa case considered a criminal matter
Wednesday 18th of October 2006 Panthic Weekly News Bureau
Amritsar Sahib (KP) – Several important cases were discussed at the recent meeting of the Jathedars at Akal Takht Sahib. The meeting which took over six hours to conclude kicked off with the issue of Sikh Rehet Maryada which was recently violated at an Anand Karaj at Gurdwara Rakabganj Sahib in New Delhi. The case of Baba Mann Pehowa was decided to be a criminal matter and it was recommended that it be followed up via the legal and criminal justice systems.
The meeting was attending by Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti (Jathedar, Sri Akal Takhat), Giani Tirlochan Singh (Jathedar, Sri Keshgarh Sahib), Bhai Balwant Singh Nandgarh (Jathedar, Sri Damdama Sahib), Giani Iqbal Singh (Jathedar, Sri Patna Sahib) and Giani Partap Singh (Head Granthi, Sri Hazoor Sahib).
Regarding the complaints filed by Col. GS Sandhu, and other organizations and individuals against Baba Mann Pehowa, it was decided by the Takat Jathedars to not take any decision on this matter at the present time. Besides stating that this matter should be addressed as a criminal offense and left on the police authorities to decide, no further reasoning was provided by the Akal Takht Sahib.
Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar’s (PA) and Jathedar Nandagarh clearly stated that Baba Pehowa has not been cleared of anything, the case stands as it is.”
- Plaintiffs
- Plaintiffs
Confidential sources reported to Panthic Weekly that there was heavy pressure from the Badal camp on the Jathedars to not move forward on Baba Mann Pehowa's case until after the elections. According to the Ajit Daily, the Jathedars are considering it criminal matter and leaving it up to the Sangat to move forward with the case through legal channels.
Mann Pehova’s followers, however, are celebrating this small respite in the case as a “victory.” They have sent messages claiming the Baba has been given a “clean chit” and has been allowed to “restart his international parchar.” According the plaintiffs who filed the applications at Akal Takht Sahib this is far from the truth.
‘We spoke with Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar’s personal assistant (PA) and with Jathedar Balwant Singh Nandagarh of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, and they have clearly stated that this Baba has not been cleared of anything, the case stands as it is.”, stated one of the plaintiffs.
Observers believe the Jathedars do not want to repeat the mistake of the previous “baba” Dhanwant Sinh case, in which he was absolved by the Takht of rape charges, but later convicted and imprisoned by the courts of Punjab.
“These are very weak Jathedars” commented a Khalsa Alliance activist. “They do not want to make any decisions amidst the political season in Punjab. They will wait until the elections are over or until public pressure builds beyond their control. This is politics as usual. That is why the Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib must be become independent of political pressure.”
In the case of the wedding maryada violations at Rakabgaj Sahib, it is being said that although appropriate measures were taken by the Delhi Shiromani Gurdwara Mangement Committee to punish the offenders, the Takht Jathedars nonetheless decided to summon many individuals which were involved in this incident. Namely, Harwinder S. Sarna (DSGMC), Veer Bhupinder Singh (America), Joginder S. Walia (Senior Vice President DSGMC), Rajinder S. Techno (General Secretary DSGMC), Manmohan S. Kochhar (Vice President DSGMC), Surjeet Singh Thekedar, T{censored}m Singh Khalsa (Chairman DPC Youth Wing), Avtar Singh Kalka (Vice Chairman DPC), Inderjeet Singh Monty (Convener DPC), Daljeet Singh (Delhi), Upkar Singh (Faridabad), Birjeet S. Bhushan (Amrit Kirtani Jatha Delhi), Baldev Singh (Gurmat Parchar Jatha Ludhiana) Gurbaksh Singh (Gurmat Parchar Jatha Delhi), Kishan Singh (Granthi Gurdwara Rakabganj) and Gurcharan Singh (Granthi Gurdwara Rakabganj) have been issued summons. These individuals have been asked to appear at Akal Takht Sahib at the next meeting of Singh Sahibs.
Harwinder S. Sarna and T{censored}m S. Khalsa were also asked to appear at Akal Takht Sahib personally to clear their stance regarding interfence in internal matters of Akal Takht Sahib. Harwinder S. Sarna and T{censored}m S. Khalsa were held responsible for sending observers at the Paschatap Samagam that was held at Gurdwara Manji Sahib.
The issue of Harbhajan Singh (Cricketer) taking part in a detrimental advertisement was also supposed to be discussed at the meeting but Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti disclosed to the press that no actions were taken against Harbhajan as he had already been pardoned in front of Akal Takhat Sahib for his misconduct.
Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti also stated that it was important for the Sikh nation to work for the release of Prof. Davinderpal Singh Bhullar. Specifically he mentioned that the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Delhi Shiromani Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGPC) and Chief Khalsa Diwan should come together and take the necessary steps with the help of human rights organizations. He further declared the Supreme Court orders against Prof. Bhullar as immoral and a huge folly. Prof. Bhullar has been detained by the Indian Government for his alleged involvement in a bomb blast case that was plotted to assassinate the former Youth Congress Party President Maninder Bitta.
Editors can be reached at editors@panthic.org
