Maan's meeting in gurdwara violates Akal Takht directive:Jathedar

Amritsar, July 4 (UNI) The presence of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD-Amritsar) chief Simranjit Singh Maan in a meeting of certain 'panthic' organisations held at Toor Sahib Gurdwara here today, has evoked a sharp reaction from the Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti.

''This is a violation of the 'adesh' (directive) issued by the Singh Sahibs (Sikh clergy) on Sunday last against Maan and some members of his party,'' the Jathedar who is in Srinagar told UNI on telephone.

The directive had asked the Sikh 'sangat' (community) as well as heads of all gurdwaras not to allow Maan to organise any religious function in shrines or at any other place.

The clergy had issued the directive after Mr Maan's supporters clashed with SAD (Badal) and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee (SGPC) officals during a religious function at Dewan Manji Sahib Hall inside the Golden Temple complex on June two.

The Jathedar who was asked for his reaction to the meeting said ''it is a violation, but we will collect the details after coming back to Amritsar and take a decision.'' Takht Keshgarh Sahib Jathedar Tarlochan Singh, who is also in Srinagar, too spoke on the same lines as Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti.

In case a violation of the directive has taken place, the Sikh clergy would issue summons to the manager or management of Toot Sahib Gurdwara on Sultanwind road.

The Gurdwara is managed by members of the locality in which it is situated and is not under the perview of the SGPC or any other religious body.

The meeting was convened by Mr Maan to discuss the directive issued by the Sikh clergy calling for his 'boycott'. The meeting which was attended by about 50 to 60 persons criticised the directive and said another meeting would be held here on July eight to decide ''the course of action to be taken''.

Prominent among those present at the meeting were Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) member Mohinder Singh, Khalsa Panchayat leader Rajinder Singh, Dal Khalsa leaders Satnam Singh and Kawarpal Singh Bittu, Punjab Human Rights Organisation (PHRO) chairman Ajit Singh Bains and Damdami Taksal member Bhai Mokham Singh.

All these organisations are opposed to the SAD (Badal) led by former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

Leaders of these groups present at Mr Maan's meeting, could also face action from the Akal Takht Jathedar, as they had failed to honour the verdict of the clergy.

Addressing the meeting, Mr Maan called upon the 'panthic' organisations to 'liberate' the SGPC and the Akal Takht from the 'clutches' of Mr Badal. He added ''Badal is a threat to the panth,'' and charged Mr Badal of lowering the dignity of the Akal Takht and the SGPC, UNI XC-HS PA KP1850