Priests reject 'ex-communication'

By Sarabjit Pandher

CHANDIGARH, JAN 26. In a day of hectic activity in the politico- religious circles of Sikh religion, five head priests who met at the Golden Temple complex today rejected the `hukumnama' issued by the Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Puran Singh, wherein he had ordered `excommunication' of the president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Bibi Jagir Kaur.

The five high priests included the Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib, Giani Kewal Singh, the head granthis (clerics) of the Golden Temple and Akal Takht, Giani Mohan Singh and Giani Bhagwan Singh, respectively, Giani Charan Singh and Giani Gurbachan Singh. The Jathedar of Takht Keshgarh Sahib, Prof. Manjit Singh, could not reach Amritsar.

Through three resolutions passed on the occasion, the high priests said that a `Hukumnama' could only be issued from the Akal Takht, and since the present edict was not in consonance with the traditions, it stood rejected.

Giani Puran Singh was charged with violating the Panthic and Khalsa traditions, as he had not consulted the other head priests before taking any decision on a vital issue.

Another resolution said that before excommunicating any person, the accused is summoned to the Akal Takht and given a hearing.

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