Akal Takht Jathedar asks Sikh community to 'boycott' Maan

Amritsar, July 2 (UNI) Taking serious cognizance of the clash between two rival Akali Dal factions inside the Golden Temple complex today, the Akal Takht Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti has called upon the Sikh 'sangat' (community) to 'boycott' radical Akali leader Simranjit Singh Maan.

''Maan should not be allowed by the 'sangat' to participate in any 'panthic' (religious) function, nor should he be allowed to address the public in such functions'', the 'adesh' (directive) issued on the letter head of the Akal Takht said today. However the directive was short of the 'social boycott' that is normally pronounced by the Sikh clergy in cases where religious codes are violated by members of the community.

The Jathedar held Mr Maan and leaders of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) which he heads, guilty of ''showing disrespect to the Guru Granth Sahib and the Akal Takht''.In this context the directive said, ''Mr Maan and his supporters committed a serious offence in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib and this had hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community''.

The directive also asked heads of all gurdwaras not to permit Mr Maan or his supporters to address or participate in religious gatherings in their respective shrines.

Besides Mr Maan, the other names mentioned in the directive were those of Bhai Ram Singh, general secretary of the SAD (Amritsar), Baldev Singh, Harcharan Singh, a SGPC member, Varinder Singh Maan and Gurjatinder Singh Bhikiwind. The Jathedar has found these leaders equally 'guilty' of the same offence as Mr Maan.

This decision was taken in a meeting of the five Sikh High Priests (Sikh Sahibs) held at the Akal Takht, soon after the clash between SAD (Badal) and SAD (Amritsar) supporters at Dewan Manji Sahib hall on the occasion of the 400th foundation day celebrations of the Akal Takht.

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