Spokesman editor Escomm from Panth!

[Deep Singh]

Spokesman Editor excommunicated

Tribune News Service

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040311/punjab.htm

Amritsar, March 10

The Sikh clergy today excommunicated Mr Joginder Singh, Editor, Spokesman magazine, from the Sikh Panth for allegedly violating the directions of Akal Takht and indulging in blasphemous activities. He is the first Editor having face such an extreme religious punishment.

Decision to this effect was pronounced from the rostrum of Akal Takht by Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti after the meeting of Sikh high priests held in the Takht’s secretariat by Jathedar Vedanti, Giani Tarlochan Singh, Giani Balwant Singh Nandgarh — Jathedars of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Damdama Sahib respectively and Giani Gurbachan Singh, Granthi, Golden Temple.

The directive of Akal Takht appealed to Sikhs all over the world to sever all kinds of relations with Mr Joginder Singh and boycott his magazine published from Chandigarh.

Mr Joginder Singh was also accused of supporting Mr Gurbax Singh Kalaafghana, a Canada-based excommunicated Sikh. Earlier, Mr Joginder Singh was declared ‘tankhaiya’ (guilty of religious punishment) on February 5 and was given time to clarify his position by March 10. However, Mr Joginder Singh had categorically refused to appear before the Akal Takht on the pretext that Sikh clergy had no right to declare any Sikh ‘tankhaiya’ or excommunicating him from the Sikh Panth.

Instead of responding to the summons of the Sikh clergy, Mr Joginder Singh had served legal notice on Jathedar Vedanti. However, Jahedar Vedanti announced that Sikh high priests wer

e above the law and hence he won’t entertain any such notice.

The directive of the Takht reads that Mr Joginder Singh in his magazine had challenged all established Sikh traditions including institution of ‘Hukamnama’ (edict), Sikh tenets and tried to distort ‘Gurbani’ and tradition of ‘Amrit’. It further reads that Spokesman also distorted glorious medieval period of Sikhs and hence indulged in blasphemous activities. Instead of appearing before the Sikh high priests by February 7 for explaining his position, Mr Joginder Singh used derogatory language against them.

[smartsingh24]

Boy that's really bad, especially since he was an editor. Think about how many minds he has poisoned. We really ought to do somethin to remedy this. Is the magazine doing something to rectify the situation, or is it still owned by the guy?

[Deep Singh]

bhaji i have no idea...but i feel the Panth should have some rules to who, how, by whom a person can be excommunicated...like i know it has always existed, but maybe we need a written document that says persons who do this things can be excommunicated etc.

this joginder guy is preety strong...from the kalaafghana bunch...

[smartsingh24]

I don't think you need somethin written, 'cause it's pretty much assumed that if you start speaking out against amrit, and say you can eat meat and other stupid stuff, you'll be excommunicated. But to the subject at hand... There should be somethin' done about this guy's newspaper, if it still exists. If it does, there should be a formal apology, and then it should be shut down permanently.

[S1ngh]

this guy is pure VENOM.. Good step.. but they need to take steps very early before it spread to community..

[Deep Singh]

Veerji,

the problem is that these guys (KA, gurtej, spokesman, etc gang) don't believe that Akal Takht has any power to excommunicate anyone from the Panth...or Jathedars have any power to exommunicate someone from the Panth. saying this we cannot just say that they should head back to Akal Takht and explain themselves and ask for forgiveness, etc.

every Gursikh would have done so..but when these guys in the first place deny that there is any power in Jathedars or the Takht...then it is no use saying it. B)

folks are losing faith in Akal Takht and Guru Khalsa Panth....

[smartsingh24]

So in there lies the problem? the excommunication shouldn't be "Come here otherwise we'll excommunicate you" it should be "We'll excommunicate you first, and you don't wanna know what happens next" :e: