Jagir Kaur accedes without a murmur

By Sarabjit Pandher

CHANDIGARH, NOV. 30. The outgoing chief of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Bibi Jagir Kaur, accepted without any show of displeasure the election of former president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Jathedar Jagdev Singh Talwandi, new president, in Amritsar today.

The annual elections of the office-bearers of the apex organisation managing the affairs of Sikh shrines were conducted this afternoon at the general meeting of the 195-member house. It was preceded by a day of meetings by senior leaders with the party president and Chief Minister, Mr. Parkash Singh Badal.

The septuagenarian leader, who is also referred to as ``Loh Purash'' (Iron Man) of the Akali politics headed the party, when it adopted the controversial Anandpur Sahib resolution at its general house meeting in Ludhiana in 1978. In 1980, Mr. Talwandi created history of sorts when as party chief, he submitted a list of charges against the Government headed by Mr. Badal, who ultimately resigned.

In the February 1997 elections, instead of him the party gave the ticket to his son, Mr. Ranjit Singh Talwandi, who lost from Raikot and was then `adjusted' as Chairman of the Punjab Small Industries and Export Corporation (PSIEC). He had to quit the after having been found guilty of murder charges. Mr. Talwandi's other son, Mr. Jagjit Singh was then made Chief of the PSIEC.

Today's general meeting elected Mr. Balbir Singh Pannu senior vice-president, Mr. Kewal Singh Badal, junior vice- president and Ms Kiranjot Kaur, general secretary. Of the 11 eleven members of the executive committee, three from the faction owing allegiance to the former SGPC chief, Mr. G.S. Tohra and MP, Mr. Simranjit Singh Mann, were also elected.

As soon as the meeting started, Mr. Tohra objected to heavy deployment of police, outside the temple complex while one of his supporters began distributing pamphlets to level charges against Bibi Jagir Kaur. For some time the SGPC has been distributing a pamphlet to highlight the achievements of Bibi Jagir Kaur, as president of the committee. Through a din that prevailed for a while, Mr. Tohra was heard saying while the entry of SGPC members had been blocked, non-members were present.

At this, Bibi Jagir Kaur, got up to tender an unconditional apology for the inconvenience caused to the members, but requested that discipline be maintained as the proceedings were being recorded for international-level telecast. Immediately, the SAD officer secretary, Mr. Kirpal Singh Badungar, who was also been projected as candidate for the post, got up to read out the panel sent by the party chief, Mr. Parkash Singh Badal.

Immediately, Mr. Zora Singh Mann, MP, proposed the name of Mr. Talwandi, which was seconded by the outgoing general secretary, Mr. Hardalbir Singh Shah and Punjab Minister, Mr. Sucha Singh Langah. Mr. Talwandi's name was accepted by a voice vote.

Mr. Talwandi has promised to carry on with the good work done and improve the functioning of the SGPC. Talking to presspersons after his election he said that his election came as total surprise to him.

Avoiding posers relating to the performance of his predecessor, Bibi Jagir Kaur, he said all her projects would be properly reviewed.

Mr. Talwandi reiterated the stance adopted by Bibi Jagir Kaur and rejected the Pakistan Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PGPC). It was against the rights granted to the Sikh community through the Sikh Gurdwara Act of 1920, passed prior to the Partition.

Meanwhile, Mr. Talwandi's election as SGPC chief has been welcomed by all. The development would also reduce the unease in the religious domain, an aspect that has been a source of headache for the ruling party.

Endorsing the election Mr. Tohra said Mr. Talwandi was a principled Sikh. The Sikh Panth could heave a sigh of relief, as Mr. Talwandi was not expected to behave in a manner, which would denigrate the religious institutions like the Akal Takhat.

However, Mr. Tohra was also cautious as he said, ``we have just turned a corner rightly. We have wait and watch the developments as a lot needs to be done. We have to watch how Mr. Talwandi conducts himself.''

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