Former Akal Takht Jathedar declared guilty of religious misconduct

Amritsar, Dec.5(ANI): Akal Takht, the highest Sikh governing body, on Saturday in an unprecedented step of declaring former Jathedar of Akal Takht Prof. Darshan Singh Ragi a "Tankhiya' or, guilty of religious misconduct on having allegedly failed to submit clarification before the five Jathedars (Sikh Clerics) for his objectionable remarks against 10th Sikh master Guru Gobind Singh at a Rochester Gurdwara, New York.

The five Sikh high clergy, led by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, has on Saturday took the decision.

The clergy (on November 16) has sought a clarification from former Akal Takht Jathedar Prof. Darshan Singh for allegedly narrating a rather objectionable tale by connecting it to the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh recently.

However while announcing Prof. Darshan Singh "a tankhiya" from the rostrum of Akal Takht, Giani Gurbachan Singh the Jathedar of Akal Takht said that the five Jathedars have issued one month ultimatum to Prof. Darshan Singh to appear before them and accept Tankha or, religious punishment, failing which a more strenuous action would be taken against him.

Interestingly, Prof. Darshan Singh arrived in the Golden Temple complex around 10.30 am today and sat before Akal Takht with his supports including Parmjit Singh Sarna, Chief of Delhi Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) for nearly two hours but did not appear before the five Jathedars, who were sitting in Akal Takht Secretariat about 40 meters far from Akal Takht.

Prof. Darshan Singh left the Golden Temple after placing the copy of his clarification in front of Guru Granth Sahib at Akal Takht and leaving the five high priests. By Ravinder Singh Robin (ANI)