Jathedar Of Akal Takht Joginder Singh Vedanti Resigns !

[Jasmit Kaur]

lets just let bhai sahib prove him self because i know that he'll come with flying colours. hes nothing of the corrupt. he belongs to Muktsar if thats wat ur talkin about?

[apne]

I can get his credentials verified and post them here . But that might hurt his reputation. I feel time has come to get the Panth rid of Jathedars, they are only political cronies. Akal Takht is used by politicians to subdue their opponents and general public, it is another hidden form of tyranny.

[xHarinder_singh]

There is another very important information about Giani Gurbachan Singh Jee. He has great knowledge of Sri Dasam Granth. So that is a very good news for the panth.

I know the akal takht jathedaar is always under pressure from Badal, I also dont expect Giani Gurbachan Singh Jee to do something really revolutionary, but whatever I have heard of him is good.

His knowledge and love for Sri Dasam Granth is a very nice thing and really good news for the panth.

[torontosikh]

As a jathedar being a true sikh is basic and you can be better than Vedanti sahib. Its the matter of how would you stand up against Badals exploting the dharam.

[Nirvair S Khalsa]

Badal & Co. Forces Giani Joginder Singh to Resign

Friday 8th of August 2008

Panthic Weekly News Bureau

Sri Amritsar Sahib (KP) - After having served as the Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar for over six years, Singh Sahib Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti submitted his resignation as the Jathedar of this apex Takht to the SGPC "based on health reasons" —although it has since come out that the resignation was likely forced by the SGPC.

The resignation was handed over to the SGPC at Gurdwara Chevi Patshahi Kurukshetra, where the SGPC rapidly and unilaterally appointed Singh Sahib Giani Gurbachan Singh, head granthi at Darbar Sahib, as the Takht's acting Jathedar without consultation with the rest of the Panth. Unilateral appointment of the Panth's jathedar has happened previously in recent years, ignoring the age old tradition of democratically appointing the jathedar via Sarbat Khalsa.

The decision to accept Jathedar Vedanti's resignation and of appointing a new acting Jathedar was formally made by Avtar Makkar, President of the SGPC. He announced that Giani Gurbachan Singh will be installed as the Takht Jathedar on August 7th.

Following these declarations by the SGPC President, several organizations raised concerns over the level of the SGPC's involvement in Akal Takht Sahib's working and over the unceremonial replacement of Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti. Avtar Makkar however lashed out during a press conference and held that those individuals who are now questioning Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti's resignation have in the past demanded the same from him.

At the meeting which took place in Kurukshetra, some SGPC members also raised concerns over the removal of Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti. These members included Karnail Singh Panjauli and Gurwinder Singh Shampura whose comments were swiftly ignored.

Later, addressing a group of press reporters, Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti alleged that he was forced to step down from the position at Akal Takht Sahib. Vedanti alleged that he was asked to step down for "ill-health" or face expulsion—over which he had no control.

It is believed that Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti's recent remarks praising Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as a source of inspiration for the Sikhs cost him his position. Manmohan Singh, a member of the Congress Party, is currently facing harsh opposition from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as they seek to replace him as the country's Prime Minister in the forth coming elections. The Akali Dal (Badal), which has a strong grip on the SGPC's internal and external affairs, hold an alliance with the BJP.

It is also believed that Giani Joginder Singh's attendance at pro-Khalistan and anti-RSS events in the United States and England were also the main factors that led to his 'forced-resignation'. Recently on his trip to the United States and England, Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti had won the support of pro-Khalistan organizations by declaring that an independent state was the right of the Sikh Nation.

As Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti currently enjoyed support from Khalistani organizations, it is believed that the matter of his forced resignation will elevate to become a big issue. Anti-SAD and SGPC individuals and organizations could now easily ally with Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti into leading a strong campaign maligning the two organizations for their anti-Panthic acts.

Meanwhile, the SGPC, already aware of this fact after ousting Giani Vedanti from his post on alleged "health grounds", has already established efforts to keep Giani Joginder Singh's support. Soon after removing him from his position, Avtar Makkar, accompanied by Daljit Singh Cheema, paid a visit to the former Jathedar's residence and tried to befriend him so that he doesn't rebel against the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) in the near future. Vedanti was assured that his SGPC allotted vehicles and house will not be taken back, while the SGPC will also provide him with a reputable job status.

Along with the worry of revolt against the SAD, the SGPC President's actions seem to be triggered by the fact that the DSGMC also offered a high-status position to Giani Vedanti. Shiromani Akali Dal and Delhi Shiromani Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) are rival parties. For Vedanti to join hands with DSGMC would be shameful for the SAD. While controlling the damage, Makkar announced that Giani Vedanti will soon be honored at Akal Takht Sahib for his valuable contributions to the Panth.

It was also learned that Jathedar Vedanti has raised talks with several anti-SAD leaders regarding his unceremonial replacement. So far, Vedanti's visit to Manjit Singh Calcutta's residence has been highly publicized by the media. According to confirmations by Vedanti's confidants, his resignation was forced by the SAD and SGPC as Vedanti had spoken in favor of Khalistan at the recent Washington DC Sikh parade.

http://www.panthic.org/news/125/ARTICLE/4285/2008-08-08.html

[Nirvair S Khalsa]

Giani Gurbachan Singh installed new Jathedar of Apex Takht

Friday 8th of August 2008

Panthic Weekly News Bureau

Amritsar Sahib (KP) The installation of Singh Sahib Giani Gurbachan Singh as Akal Takht Sahib's acting Jathedar was held this past week and was well attended by representatives of different Sikh organizations. Giani Gurbachan Singh was presented with dastars as a robe of honor by Sikh representatives to recognize his installation as the Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar. Several developments came the day the new acting Jathedar was formally installed.

Controversial Issues to be decided upon finalization of 300th anniversary

Talking from the Akal Takht Sahib Secretariat after his dastarbandhi, Giani Gurbachan Singh said that it is in the Panth's best interests if controversial issues are not touched before the finalization of Guru Granth Sahib Ji's 300th Gurtagaddi divas. He especially mentioned that the issues of the Sacha Sauda Cult and Dasam Granth Sahib will be reviewed in the near future as currently, the attention of all Panthic organizations is set on the celebrations in Hazoor Sahib.

While speaking on the case of Gurmeet Ram Rahim, Giani Gurbachan Singh asked the Punjab and Haryana State Governments to put a ban on his anti-Sikh activities. He further told the Sikh Sangat to remain optimistic regarding Gurmeet Ram Rahim's cases in which justice was being delayed to the Sikhs.

Giani Iqbal Singh attends function, while former Jathedar Remains Absent

An interesting part of the installation ceremonies was that Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti remained absent from the whole event even though he was available locally at his place of residence. Giani Iqbal Singh, Jathedar Takht Sri Patna Sahib, however, was fully involved in the ceremonies and bestowed a dastar on the newly appointed Jathedar. When Giani Gurbachan Singh was asked regarding the new-admittance of Giani Iqbal Singh, he held that one's shortcomings are not considered after they come under the Guru's shelter. It should be noted that Giani Gurbachan Singh had signed the verdict banning Giani Iqbal Singh from future Akal Takht Sahib meetings just a month ago.

Appeal to Sikh organization to adhere to Akal Takht Sahib

Giani Gurbachan Singh asked Sikh organizations worldwide to adhere to mandates passed by Akal Takht Sahib while staying indifferent to classifications by sub-Sikh organizations. He alleged that while the issues of abortion, dera-vaad, and increased rate of apostasy from the Panth by the youth were on the rise, this was the time all Sikhs needed to work to unify under the banner of Akal Takht Sahib.

Call for uniformity in Maryada

Giani Gurbachan Singh alleged that there was an important need for the Khalsa Panth to unify its maryada across Gurdwaras, organizations, jathas and other institutions. While no courses of action were announced which would bring such uniformity, Giani Gurbachan Singh alleged that he would work with different organizations so differences in maryada could be eradicated.

This announcement has come at a time when some groups are seeking amendments to parts of the Sikh Rehit Maryada approved by Sri Akal Takht Sahib as well as the Nanakshahi Calendar. These groups include the Damdami Taksal, Sant Samaj, Takht Patna Sahib and others. As Giani Iqbal Singh has been readmitted to take part in Panthic matters, to what extend Giani Gurbachan Singh will work with him and others in bringing about this uniformity is yet to be seen.

New Head Granthi at Sri Harmandir Sahib, Vedanti also removed as Granthi

As now Giani Gurbachan Singh will be working as the acting Jathedar (which automatically gives him the role of Granthi at Sri Harmandir Sahib) he will no longer keep the status of being the Head Granthi there. Instead, the SGPC has already appointed Singh Sahib Giani Jaswinder Singh as the new Head Granthi. Giani Jaswinder Singh was formerly a Granthi at Harmandir Sahib.

Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, who was a Granthi at Harmandir Sahib before he was installed as the Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar, has also lost his position as Granthi. This will ensure a step back to an already short list of sevadars who fulfill important daily tasks at Sri Harmandir Sahib. Whether or not this will lead to a recollection of the dead idea of appointing Giani Jagtar Singh Jachak will be an interesting proposition to watch out for. The idea of appointing a Granthi affiliated with the Missionary College was earlier refused by Akal Takht Sahib.

Ceremonies conclude peacefully despite a big chance of a collision

Definitely the idea of removing Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti as the Takht Jathedar without consulting other Sikh organization was not going to be spared. As a consequence, the SGPC, along with the SAD, is facing backlash from Panthic organizations in all parts of the world. Where some organizations have served legal notices to the SGPC for wrongfully interfering in matters of Akal Takht Sahib, others have even pledged to remove the modern day pseudo-mahants who have taken over the charge of the SGPC.

To avoid any tensions at the ceremony, a large number of SGPC task force employees were deployed all over Sri Harmandir Sahib Complex. However, no clashes or disputes were noticed throughout the ceremonial procedures despite the presence of most Panthic representatives there.

http://www.panthic.org/news/125/ARTICLE/4286/2008-08-08.html

[Nirvair S Khalsa]

SAD sets out to placate Vedanti

JALANDHAR: With claims and counter-claims by former Akal Takht Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Avtar Singh Makkar helping little in putting to rest the furore over the former’s resignation, SAD(B) bosses now appear to be making efforts to do some damage control.

Though CM Parkash Singh Badal and his son Sukhbir Badal had been claiming that they had nothing to do with the resignation as it was an internal matter of the SGPC, CM's adviser Daljit Singh Cheema reportedly met the former Jathedar at his residence on Friday.

Sources said Cheema first held a meeting with him and then after some time again visited him accompanied by the SGPC president. It is learnt the visit was an effort to plan the rehabilitation of the former Jathedar.

According to sources, the resignation issue had provided meat for adverse publicity against the party, and the Badals want to do some damage control, keeping in view the forthcoming parliamentary polls.

However, statements made by Vedanti hinted nothing of the sort. Perturbed over repeated statements about his ill health as the reason for resigning, Vedanti said those who were out to preach about his ill health should first themselves undergo medical examination.

Without naming Makkar or anybody else, Vedanti said he was hale and hearty and rather those who were spreading the canard about him should get themselves examined physically and psychologically. When asked then why did he cite health reasons in his resignations, Vedanti argued he wanted to avoid any unsavoury situation as he was conveyed quite categorically that he would be sacked if he would not resign.

Meanwhile, sources close to Vedanti also argued that if his resignation was really was as being projected by Makkar, then the former would have sent it himself through his emissary.

"That SGPC officials went to the residence of the Jathedar to collect his resignation, despite the fact that he had already expressed a desire to continue for a few more months till the completion of Shatabadi functions, was enough to nail Makkar's lies,'' said a close confidant of Vedanti.

It is learnt that the presence of Takht Patna Sahib Jathedar Iqbal Singh at the coronation ceremony of the new Jathedar Gurbachan Singh, and the latter's first directive after assuming office to lift ban on Iqbal's entry in meetings of high priests is also being questioned by the Vedanti camp.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Chandig...how/3344273.cms

Cold war between SGPC and Vedanti intensifies

Amritsar, August 10 Makkar says they will 'rehabilitate' Vedanti at a suitable post and honour him; ousted Jathedar says he has no time

The ongoing cold war between the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and former Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti following his "unceremonious" exit seems to be intensifying. Vedanti has refused to accept any "honour" from the religious body.

Though the SGPC has reiterated its stand of "rehabilitating" Vedanti at a suitable post, he is in no mood for a truck with the committee that facilitated his ouster on CM Parkash Singh Badal's command.

When asked about the honour being extended to him, Vedanti said he would discuss the matter with his close confidants, besides he is hard pressed for time as he is busy with religious functions in Delhi and elsewhere. "I do not think there is any need to honour me formally or reserve any post for me," he said.

He has also been emboldened after various Sikhs bodies, especially from abroad, came up for his support. "The SGPC had offered me formal farewell and a post in the upcoming religious projects. But I have no plans to take up any such projects," he said.

SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar, who had met Vedanti along with Badal's OSD Daljit Singh Cheema to pacify him, said they were seeking time from the former Jathedar for a "farewell".

"We have high regards for Vedanti. We will find a suitable position or post for him to utilise his expertise in Sikh affairs. He says he is busy and we will again talk to him," said Makkar.

The detractors of Badal have, meanwhile, started taking potshots at the CM. "Vedanti was a weak Jathedar, but the way he was removed is condemnable," said Khalsa Action Committee convener Bhai Mokham Singh.

The KAC, along with Dal Khalsa, Khalra Mission Organisation and other radical bodies, had been demanding codification of powers and areas of influence of the Akal Takht Jathedar. "With this episode, our concerns over the appointment and removal of Jathedar through a properly laid system have been vindicated. It is high time that the Jathedar's post is kept away from politics," said Dal Khalsa' Kanwarpal Singh.

Makkar, however, said there was no political pressure and Vedanti himself wanted to step down. He said Vedanti would continue play a major role in the new projects of the SGPC, including the World Sikh University. Former minister and Badal's critic Manjit Singh Calcutta said, "Honouring Vedanti is an after-thought and a 'damage repair exercise'. I have nothing against new Jathedar Gurbachan Singh, but the way Vedanti was removed, it points towards 'political pollution' that has set in and Badal is responsible for it."

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Co...nsifies/347038/

[Nirvair S Khalsa]

SAD Vs Akal Takht: Politics overshadows faith

The removal of Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti the Jathedar(high priest) of Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhs in Amritsar by Shiromani Gurdawara Parbhandak Committee (SGPC) has once again strengthened the belief that politics and religion go hand in hand for Shiromani Akali Dal(SAD), the ruling party in Punjab. Incidentally, SGPC is controlled by SAD.

Akal Takht, the source of inspiration for millions of Sikhs is merely a source of political power for SAD. Akalis can't afford to loose control over seat of faith for the sake of their political survival as they draw their power from religion. It is irony that political bosses of SAD have thrown all traditions of appointing Jathedar of Akal Takht to the wind. Traditionally a 'Sarbat Khalsa', the convention of all Sikhs sects and organizations is called to select a learned person for the high post. The Akalis have however steeped low to the practice of 'use and throw' the man and install persons of personal loyalty on spiritual seat.

"Not all Sikhs agree to the decisions of SGPC", said Manjit Singh Calcutta former secretary of the religious body. He says political agenda of a particular section of Sikh politicians has been ruining the institution of faith.

The unceremonial exit of Jathedar Vedanti and installation of new incumbent Giani Gurbachan Singh was only seen as repetition of past instances in the recent Sikh history. Vedanti was brought in same fashion after removing Giani Puran Singh who was installed after removing Bhai Ranjit Singh. Prior to it Prof. Manjit Singh was sacked to pave way for Bhai Ranjit Singh. For the sake of record, Bhai Ranjit Singh had excommunicated SAD supreme and present Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal for disobeying an edict for unity in the party issued from Akal Takht. He had also summoned editor of a leading Punjabi newspaper to appear before Akal Takht. Bhai Ranjit Singh was sacked overnight.

The reason for removal and installation of all Jathedars remains the same-differences with the political masters but issues are different every time. It is understood that Vedanti's increasing proximity with hard liner Sikh organisations on the issue of dera Sacha Sauda and his public opinion to vote for Sikh Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh during UPA government's trust vote on July 22 last were key factors that compelled SGPC to pack up Vedanti.

The reports said that Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had told Vedanti to quit else he shall be expelled. The grapevine is that Badal wants to remove political irritants with dera Sacha Sauda and Vedanti didn't fit in his scheme of things. The first statement issued by new Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh that Sikhs should shun the policy of confrontation with dera Sacha Sauda is an indication in this direction.

Giani Gurbachan Singh was long time employee of SGPC who rose to the level of a priest before occupying the post which is equated with the status of Pope in Christianity.

Vedanti and Giani Puran Singh were also from the same stream. Bhai Ranjit Singh who had radical inclinations was rewarded for allegedly killing Baba Gurbachan Singh, the head of Nirnakari sect in early 80's.

Vedanti has told media that he was forced to quit and his resignation was obtained by two loyalists of Badal who came to his residence with no other option but to quit. He was appointed Jathedar of Akal Takht in March 2000 and was considered a pliable person specially cut out for the job to suit the requirements of Shiromani Akali Dal(SAD) and SGPC.

Vedanti did his bit to appease the SAD and in the very fist meeting of five high priests on March 29,2000, in an unprecedented move rejected the three `hukamnamas' ( edicts) issued by his dismissed predecessor Giani Puran Singh and `acquitted' all those who were ex-communicated from the Sikh Panth.

Akalis had ignored many of follies of Vedanti till he worked in tendon with them. Vedanti's stand on Nanakshahi calendar introduced by the then SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur in 1999 had irked many in the Sikh religion as he had allowed certain amendments under pressure from Sant Samaj. He was instrumental in change of certain historic dates related with birth and demise of Sikh gurus. He was also blamed for working in tandem with RSS to harm the interests of Sikhs.

Vedanti also came under fire for editing controversial script of "Gur Bilas Patshahi 6" reprinted by the Dharam Parchar Committee of the SGPC, Amritsar. Gur Bilas Patshahi 6 has regularly been recited in many Gurdwaras in the past. Although Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti and co-editor Prof Amarjit Singh had admitted that it contains some denigrating information, even then they have not tried to distinguish that how much is true and how much goes against the Gurbani and Sikhism leaving the readers in confusion.

On another issue of Dasam Granth(attributed to tenth Sikh master Guru Gobind Singh), Vedanti had issued an edict to stop any debate on it since a major section of Sikhs found the contents of Dasam Granth objectionable and not tenable under Sikh traditions. The Sikh hardliners have been demanding ban on Dasam Granth while the members of Sant Samaj were in favour of recognizing it. SGPC has not so far recognized the recitation of 'Dasam Granth' in Sikh shrines due to controversy over its authorship.

In the recent past Vedanti had taken hard stand against dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh and has joined the hard liners to spearhead an agitation for his arrest. A confrontation between Sikhs and dera is going on for the last two years following dera chief tried to pose as Guru Gobind Singh in front of his followers.

Another reason cited for removal of Vedanti is his statement that Sikh MP's should vote for Sikh Prime Minister during trust vote in the parliament on July 22,2008 over nuclear deal. Vedanti's remarks didn't suit Akalis politically. It is learnt that SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal had reprimanded Vedanti on his comments on trust vote.

Sikhs institutions are divided over the manner in which Jathedar of highest temporal seat are appointed. However things may not change to the wishes of Sikh nation, because political stakes seems bigger than faith.

http://www.punjabnewsline.com/content/view/11659/40/

[Nirvair S Khalsa]

http://www.sikhsangat.org/news/publish/asia_news/Akal_Takht_chief_for_uniformity_in_maryada123455.shtml

http://www.sikhsangat.org/news/publish/asia_news/Goodbye_Jathedar_Joginder_Singh13234.shtml

[sikh_revolution]

Waheguruji ka khalsa waheguruji ki fateh,

I feel that this is the biggest failure of democracy and justice!! what is happening in this country,

even I know the actual truth from a very reliable and a high source, that how disgracefuly Badal "FORCED" Vedantiji to Quite. All Vedanti ji wanted was to attend the 300 saal Shatabdi before his tenure and he himself that I would quit then if you want, he being such a saintly soul... But Badal was so rude and said that "NO Quit Now", how disgraceful are our leaders who cannot even see that a person who is so well respected and renound all over the world, is no ordinary man. He will have to pay for this if not in this life then after death in Waheguru ki Dargah.

Either Badal should resign or Vedantiji should be given back his Post!!

Thanks