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Makkar
faces wrath of Sikhs in California over Sehajdhari imbroglio
WSN Network
CALIFORNIA:
Caught in a cleft-stick after a clever move by the SGPC of
re-defining the Sehajdhari in a most nefarious way before the Punjab
and Haryana High Court, the SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar found
himself facing informed and fiercely piercing questions during his
US visit where Sikhs in California aggressively engaged him,
virtually forcing him to admit that “a mistake had been committed
and that it would be rectified.”
On top of it, at
the Hayward meeting, activist Jaswinder Singh Jandi asked the SGPC
president to clarify his stand about Minar-e-Shaheedan’ and Prof
Devinderpal Singh Bhullar. His speech was well received by the
Sangat and Makkar was visibly embarrassed.
At the San Jose
meeting, Jasjeet Singh of Sikh Youth of America read out the
contents of a detailed letter which was presented to the fourth-time
elected president of the SGPC on behalf of all the Panthic
organizations. Jasjeet Singh asked him to clarify his stand about
the reported statement of SGPC standing counsel, Pavit Singh
Mattewal suggesting that there was no guarantee that the first nine
Gurus were Keshadharis.
The letter
submitted to the SGPC president says: “In the present case, the SGPC
has had ample opportunities, since the mischief to include
Sehajdharis began in 1959, to rectify the same, but the SGPC has
gone from the frying pan into the fire. SGPC had the clear
privilege to decide on the definition of a Sehajdhari Sikh in the
light of Rahitnamas, Hukamanamas, its own Gurmatas and the opinion
clearly expressed by Sikh scholars. Instead SGPC has either chosen
to keep quiet or act under judicial pressure or obfuscate the issue
because of the incompetence or lack of Sikhi of their lawyers, thus
bringing about great harm to the Sikhs.”
The letter also
sought removal of the very concept of Sehajdhari which, it said,
must be removed from the statute of Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925.
Decrying the
SGPC for not making changes in the Act since 1947, the letter asked
the SGPC to stop using the British terminology of head ministers and
use Jathedars instead. Sikh Youth of America appealed for setting
up of clear cut qualifications and procedures for appointment and
impeachment of Jathedars of Takhts which must be transparent and in
consonance with Sikh traditions. The letter also asked the SGPC to
take all steps for release of Prof. Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar, who
is on the death row in Tihar Jail, Delhi.
Avtar Singh
Makkar responded that “he did not know about it and he will work on
it and fix it”. Though he had come to extol about his achievements,
he was upset at having to speak about the Sehajdhari definition
imbroglio. Makkar did not touch upon the issue of Minar-e-Shaheedan,
appointment of Takhat Jathedars and the amendments to SGPC bylaws
sought in the memorandum submitted to him. Jasjeet Singh again
spoke after Makkar had spoken and expressed total dissatisfaction,
saying, “it’s very sad to hear that the definition SGPC President is
giving about Sehajdharis does not match SGPC’s own earlier stand and
resolutions.”
Avtar Singh
Makkar promised that he will consult experts on the issue. Soon
before the meeting could begin at San Jose Gurdwara Sahib, members
of the Mann Dal booed Avtar Singh Makkar and did not allow him to
speak for a while, but ultimately he managed to speak.
As Jaswinder
Singh Jandi had warned publicly that “everything will not be smooth
sailing”, Avtar Singh Makkar thought it wise and skipped attending
the meet at Gurdwara Fremont.
Other issues
At
the meeting organized by Akali Dal (Badal)’s US unit leader Kulwant
Singh Khehra and well known Sikh lawyer Jaspreet Singh at Raja
Sweets, there were intense confabulations about many Sikh issues,
but at the San Jose Gurdwara meeting, there were some tense moments
due to protest by a few people who heckled Avtar Singh Makkar and
did not allow him to speak for some time. Kulwant Singh Khehra
seemed angry at one stage and even caustically asked Pritam Singh
Grewal as to what happened to his armed security guards now. A few
leaders of Akali Dal (Badal) forcibly took away Akali Dal (Mann)
leader Bhupinder Singh Cheema.
Bhaui Jaswinder
Singh jandi, leader of the Bay Area for SYA, asked Makkar on what
basis was the SGPC deciding on the number of delegates of Diaspora
Sikhs in the SGPC. He also castigated the SGPC backtracking on the
issue of memorial for the martyrs of Operation Bluestar.
Arrangements at
San Jose Gurdwara left much to be desired. Most of the Sangat left
the Gurdwara when the ongoing katha by Bhai Pinderpal Singh was
stopped midway and slogan shouting took place. Makkar seemed miffed
with the organizers because of poor gathering. Sikh leader Didar
Singh Bains and Akali Dal (Badal)’s Gurnam Singh Pamma also spoke.
Associates of Bhai Daljit Singh Bittu put forth the issues most
responsibly and organized manner.
24 December
2008
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