Amritsar, Punjab (August 12, 2013): Dal Khalsa has urged the SGPC to take Panthic institutions and organizations (big or small in numbers game) into confidence before finalizing the name for the Jathedar of Takht Kesgarh Sahib.
Notably, in the wake of the sudden demise of Giani Tarlochan Singh, the coveted Sikh religious post of Jathedar of Takht Kesgarh Sahib has fallen vacant.
Dal Khasla leader S. Kanwarpal Singh [File Photo]
Reports suggest that Giani Mal Singh, head granthi of Harmandar Sahib, Amritsar, is likely to be appointed new jathedar of Takht Kesgarh Sahib.
In a letter addressed to SGPC president, party spokesperson Kanwar Pal Singh said to anoint a capable and deserving personality for the post, the SGPC must show magnanimity in roping the Panth in the process. He further said to make the appointment of Takht jathedar free from all controversies there was an urgent need to build consensus among Sikhs. He, however clarified that their letter should not be construed as if “they had any disliking for Gaini Mal Singh”.
Dal Khalsa secretary Sarbjit Singh Ghuman handed over the letter personally to Jathedar Avtar Singh Makhar in his office today.
Sending a word of caution to Jathedar Avtar Singh Makhar, he said the SGPC has “wrongly presumed that it was the sole representative of entire Sikh Panth”. Panth comprises of all institutions, organizations and bodies, be it political, social or religious and irrespective of their numerical strength, political and ideological leanings.
We have come to know that SGPC has almost finalized the name of the next jathedar. It was unfortunate that the executive committee meeting coming up at Gurdwara Katana Sahib on August 15 was going to be a mere formality.
He reminded the SGPC head that theirs group along with like-minded parties have always demanded that the SGPC should lay down the procedures vis-à-vis the role, working sphere, status and appointments of the Takht jathedars.
He said the need of the hour is to fix norms for the post of the jathedar of the Takhts. However, until the procedure does not come into place, the SGPC should revive traditional way to appoint Takht Jathedar taking Panthic groups into confidence. He said in case the present body of the SGPC builds the consensus on the name of next Jathedar of Takht Kesgarh, it would not only lend credence to the post but would be considered a milestone.