Declares Giani Gurdit Singh ‘tankhaiya’

[Deep Singh]

Takht Patna Sahib bans book

Declares Giani Gurdit Singh ‘tankhaiya’

Varinder Walia

Tribune News Service

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20041203/...3/punjab1.htm#6

Amritsar, December 2

In an unprecedented move, the Sikh clergy of Takht Patna Sahib today declared Giani Gurdit Singh, a close associate of Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, Jathedar, Akal Takht, as ‘tankhaiya’ for the book ‘Mundawani’. They also imposed a ban on the book.

The development is likely to plunge the Sikh Panth into a crisis once again. This is, perhaps, for the first time that any Takht has directed the Jathedar of Akal Takht to clarify his stand.

Earlier, Takht Patna Sahib had asked Giani Gurdit Singh and Jathedar Vedanti to appear at Takht Patna Sahib to clarify on the contents of “Mundawani”.

The issue of Giani Gurdit Singh is being taken up at the next meeting of Sikh clerics at Akal Takht.

The ‘hukamnama’ (directive) was signed by all five Sikh priests of Takht Patna Sahib, including Jathedar Iqbal Singh.

On the other hand, Jathedar Vedanti has summoned a meeting of the Sikh clergy at the Akal Takht to recommend action against Jathedar Iqbal Singh.

Jathedar Vedanti had taken the initiative to bury the hatchet with the jathedars of Takht Patna Sahib and Takht Hazoor Sahib and made them sign a common statement that the Akal Takht, being the supreme Takht, would take up panthic issues while the rest of the Takhts would decide on regional issues.

[ms514]

Sat Sri Akal:

"The development is likely to plunge the Sikh Panth into a crisis once again. "

<_< <_< <_<

What crisis are Sikhs in or which one did the Sikh Panth just get over? Anyone here having a panic attack or visiting the Emergency Rooms because of a crisis?

[Akaal Purakh Di Fauj]

What crisis are Sikhs in or which one did the Sikh Panth just get over? Anyone here having a panic attack or visiting the Emergency Rooms because of a crisis?

Too right bro - what are they on about :T:

[V]

Waheguroo Jee Ka Khalsa!

Waheguroo Jee Kee Fateh!!

Defnetly a point to eb noted, Why isn't Giani Gurdit SIngh and Jathedar Sahib come to Patna Sahib and clear all the missunderstanding and all the issues???

will prevent a lot of debate, and might sovle a few problems -

why don't they go and clearify, what are they fearing :wub:

bhull chukk maaf

Waheguroo Jee Ka Khalsa!

Waheguroo Jee Kee Fateh!!

[Deep Singh]

Jathedars on warpath again

Vedanti calls meeting on December 8

Varinder Walia

Tribune News Service

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20041204/.../punjab1.htm#10

Amritsar, December 3

The Sikh high priests are on a warpath again. Apprehending impending Panthic crisis, the Akal Takht Jathedar, Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, has convened a meeting of the Sikh clergy here on December 8, which is unlikely to be attended by the Jathedars of Patna Sahib and Hazoor Sahib.

Though the Sikh clerics of Takht Patna Sahib have given an ultimatum to Jathedar Vedanti to clarify his position by December 10 on the controversial book “Mundavni”, authored by Sikh scholar Giani Gurdit Singh, Jathedar Vedanti has also invited Jathedar Iqbal Singh (Jathedar, Patna Sahib) to attend the proposed meeting .

Ironically, the Jathedars, who settle Panthic issues, are not united. Giani Puran Singh, Head Granthi, Golden Temple, does not attend any of the meetings convened by the Akal Takht Jathedar which is mandatory as per Sikh maryada. Jathedar Vedanti, who had been giving calls for Panthic unity since his installation as Jathedar, has failed to forge unity among the Sikh clerics.

Earlier, the then Akal Takht Jathedar, Bhai Ranjit Singh, had banned the entry of Prof Manjit Singh and Giani Kewal Singh, the then Jathedars of Kesgarh Sahib and Damdama Sahib, respectively, in 1998 at Akal Takht. Later, Giani Puran Singh, in his capacity as the Akal Takht Jathedar, had excommunicated them (Prof Manjit Singh and Giani Kewal Singh) from the Sikh Panth, which is unprecedented in the history of Sikhis

m .

Now, seeking clarification from the Akal Takht Jathedar by the Sikh clergy of Takht Patna Sahib has started a fresh debate among Sikh intellectuals. The fresh controversy is based on the controversial book “Mundavni”, authored by Giani Gurdit Singh who enjoys unflinching support from Jathedar Vedanti.

The book is about the authorship of Ragmala, which comes after Mundavni in Guru Granth Sahib. Mundavni means a legally binding seal that should appear at the end because it indicates the closure or completion of an important document. The question of whether Guru Granth Sahib ends at Mundavni or is Ragmala gurbani is a matter that has been discussed by Sikh scholars for over a century.

In this book Giani Gurdit Singh maintains that Ragmala is a composition of Alam, a Muslim poet. He has supported his stand by quoting from many sources, including rare manuscripts of Guru Granth Sahib.

The issue has remained unresolved since reading of the Ragmala is not mandatory but optional while reciting Guru Granth Sahib, according to the prevalent Rahit maryada, which dates back to 1945.

[Deep Singh]

Patna Jathedar threatens to declare Vedanti tankhaiya

Varinder Walia

Tribune News Service

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20041205/main7.htm

Amritsar, December 4

The Panthic crisis deepened further even as Giani Iqbal Singh, Jathedar, Takht Patna Sahib, threatened to declare Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti, Jathedar, Akal Takht as tankhaiya (guilty of religious misconduct) if he failed to dissociate himself from Giani Gurdit Singh, author of the controversial book “Mundavni”, before December 10.

Talking to The Tribune here today, Jathedar Iqbal Singh alleged that a top religious personality of the Sikh community had threatened to shoot him in full public view if any action was taken against Giani Gurdit Singh. He said he would disclose the name of the top religious personality of the Sikhs at an appropriate time. He said he was not a coward and would not backout from the edict issued against Giani Gurdit Singh .

While Jathedar Iqbal Singh said he would not attend the meeting of the Sikh clergy, proposed to be held at Akal Takht on December 8 to discuss the case of Giani Gurdit Singh, Jathedar Vedanti, while talking to The Tribune, pointed out that serious action could be taken against the clergy of Takht Patna Sahib.

Jathedar Iqbal Singh said he and Jathedar Vedanti would jointly attend a religious function tomorrow at Ludhiana, where Jathedar Vedanti could give him in writing that he had nothing to do with “Mundavni”.

In case he failed to do so, the Sikh clergy of Takht Patna Sahib would pronounce an edict, declaring Jathedar Vedanti as tankhaiya, on December 10.

When told that there was no precedent in Sikh history to declare Jathedar of Akal Takht as tankhaiya by the Sikh clergy of any other Takht, Jathedar Iqbal Singh said Sikh clergy were not above Guru Granth Sahib. The book “Mundavni” had created confusion in the Sikh Panth so far as Guru Granth Sahib was concerned, he alleged and said Jathedar Vedanti was party to the ‘blasphemous’ acts committed in “Mundavni”. The author had challenged the “Raagmala” which was an integral part of Guru Granth Sahib, he said.

Jathedar Iqbal Singh alleged that Jathedar Vedanti was not impartial and had been performing his duty in a biased manner. He alleged that Mr Parkash Singh Badal was given a clean chit despite Jathedar Iqbal Singh’s dissenting voice . He said while the then Chief Minister, Mr Surjit Singh Barnala, was directed by Akal Takht to complete his tankhah by visiting all five Takhts, Mr Badal was not given any religious punishment for violating the edict of Akal Takht.

He further alleged that Jathedar Vedanti had failed to summon Ms Surinder Kaur Badal, wife of Mr Badal, despite concrete proofs that she had visited the “dera” of Ashutosh in violation of the “maryada”. He said she was not directed to submit her clarification on summoned to Akal Takht.

He further said no action was taken against Mr Sucha Singh Langah, an SGPC member, for organising 501 “Paths” of the Ramayana. There were senior functionaries of the SGPC who were defaulters and had failed to clear the outstanding amount against their wards who had got admission to the SGPC-run Medical college, he added .

Jathedar Iqbal Singh alleged that Jathedar Vedanti was being misguided by his personal assistant, Mr Prithipal Singh Sandhu, who was earlier a communist. When asked that he himself had given in writing that Akal Takht was supreme and other Takhts would be dealing with region

al matters only, Jathedar Iqbal Singh said this decision stood null and void when Jathedar Vedanti was found ‘guilty’ of violating “maryada”. He alleged that Giani Gurdit Singh was ready to submit a written apology, but he was stopped from doing so by Jathedar Vedanti.

: what's going on here....one Jathedar declaring another Jathedar tankhaiya! wow..that is huge.

[Deep Singh]

Patna Sahib Jathedar’s action criticised

Our Correspondent

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20041205/.../punjab1.htm#33

Ludhiana, December 4

Prof Prithipal Singh Kapoor, president, Master Tara Singh Institute of Studies today regretted that the Jathedar of Gurdwara Patna Sahib, Giani Iqbal Singh, had taken upon himself the task of giving judgement on a matter relating to the Panth.

Commenting on his excommunication of Giani Gurdit Singh, a Sikh scholar by Patna Sahib Jathedar, Professor Kapoor said as per Sikh traditions no panthic matter, had been decided or an edict issued from any seat except Akal Takht.

Professor Kapoor, who is former Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Guru Nanak Dev University, said the book, “Mandhawni” was based on documentary studies and no scholar would ever think of disagreeing with him. The SGPC on its own had already allowed the likes of Giani Iqbal Singh to recite “raag mala” it they wished.

He asked the Akal Takht Jathedar to resolve the issue at the earliest.

[S1ngh]

What the hell?? Since when other takhts took the job of akal takht :|

It's only AKAL TAKHT job to decide in matters like this. This jathedar of Takht Shri Patna sahib is under the influence of Ego and power !!

This sure looks bad on our kaum.. Fire him and replace him with other gursikh.. (that's what the response is needed)

[V]

What the hell?? Since when other takhts took the job of akal takht :|

It's only AKAL TAKHT job to decide in matters like this. This jathedar of Takht Shri Patna sahib is under the influence of Ego and power !!

This sure looks bad on our kaum.. Fire him and replace him with other gursikh.. (that's what the response is needed)

NO!

THat's not going to do any Good.

What is written in the article is TRUE,

Jathedar o Akal Takht has been bias - is tha not true?

jus because h pointed this out he shoudl be fired?

fair enough Akal Takht has the last decitions, but after all thers 5 TAKHTS!!!

all need to go hand in Hand.

if Jathedfar of Akal Takht wants Panthik unity he should go and meet Jathedar Patna Sahib, as this issue is not a new one!!!

bhull chukk maaf

Waheguroo Jee Ka Khalsa!

Waheguroo Jee Kee Fateh!!

[S1ngh]

hanjee i do agree with you but that's not the way it works in our history. Nobody can take the job of the akal takht. Jobs like declaring tankhaiya is the work of akal takht and this hukam is given by our guru sahib jee. The other 4 takhts job is to maintain the shrines in their own states and spread the prachar to their close region.