Dal Khalsa Objects To Santa Singh's Portrait In Museum

[Azaad]

Objecting to the resolution adopted by the SGPC to install a portrait of the former chief of Budha Dal, Santa Singh, at the Central Sikh Museum, the Dal Khalsa today urged the head of the SGPC to withdraw the same. In a letter to SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar, the organisation has asked him to explain on what basis the SGPC had decided to install the photo of a person who "had challenged the supremacy of the Akal Takht and violated Sikh rehat maryada".

[lsingh]

Withdraw decision of installing Nihang Santa Singh portrait at Museum, Dal Khalsa tells SGPC

Monday, May 7, 2012 - 17:30

By Jagmohan Singh

AMRITSAR: Expressing its serious objections on the resolution adopted by the SGPC to install the portrait of former chief of Shiromani Panth Akali Budha Dal (renowned Sikh religious Outfit) late Santa Singh in the Sikh Central Museum, the radical Sikh organization Dal Khalsa urged the head of Sikh premier (SGPC) institution to withdraw its resolution.

Notably, Baba Santa Singh courted controversy when he at the instance of Indira Gandhi government undertook “Kar sewa” (renovation work) of Akal Takht building in 1984 after the top temporal seat was brought to rubble during army attack. Subsequently, he was ‘excommunicated’ by then Jathedar Akal Takht Giani Kirpal Singh and four others from the Sikh Panth on 22-7-1984 for undermining and challenging the supremacy of Akal Takhat.

However, his ‘excommunication’ was revoked by Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti in 2001 only after he admitted his "sin" and accepted the punishment for violating the “Sikh Maryada”. He later died on May 8, 2008. In a hard hitting letter addressed to SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar, the organization has asked him to explain on what basis the SGPC has decided to install the photo of a person, who challenged the supremacy of Akal Takht and violated Sikh Reyat Maryada.

Party head Harchranjit Singh Dhami in a communiqué has asked the Makkar to list one single achievement of Santa Singh towards the Sikh Panth for which he was being honoured. The copy of the letter was also submitted to Gaini Gurbachan Singh at Akal Takht secretariat apart from Manjit Singh, secretary to SGPC head.

“Despite his returned to Sikh fold after remaining excommunicated for 17 years, Santa Singh in his personal capacity is disliked by the Sikh community at large, he pointed out and wondered how his photo could be part of the same museum where portraits of most revered and distinguished personalities have been installed".

"The SGPC executive meet at Anandpur Sahib on May 3 has given the Sikhs immense happiness as well as pain. We felt happiness because SGPC gave a final consent to implement its 10 years old own resolution to build memorial for 1984 martyrs. At the same time, we felt pain because it took decision to install the portrait of Santa Singh at Sikh Museum”, reads the letter. "It's ironic that the portrait of a person who ridicule Akal Takht will be placed along with those who sacrificed their lives for the sanctity of Akal Takht", he rued.

Source:

Punjab Newsline Network

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