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Vedanti’s exit: What lies beneath, and ahead?
Dr. Amrik Singh
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Gurmeet Ram Rahim should be
given two options: Run your cult but agree not to make use of
Sikh symbolism. No calling it Dera Sachha Sauda, no preaching
selective Gurbani, no misinterpretation, no copying of Sikhism’s
traditions. Or the second option: If he is genuinely repentant,
accept Guru Granth Sahib as the only Guru of Sikhs. If he takes
either option, end the confrontation without any precondition |
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 Sikhs all over the world are trying hard to
understand the circumstances that led to the unceremonious expulsion
of Akal Takht Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti on August 5, 2008. In
the absence of any charge sheet, it is hard to ascertain the truth
behind the rude shock. However, many theories are making rounds. The
mere praise of Dr. Manmohan Singh as an honest man couldn’t be the
only cause of incurring Punjab Chief Minister’s wrath. Parkash Singh
Badal himself had used similar words to appreciate Dr. Manmohan
Singh’s integrity, but the reason of not voting for the Nuclear Deal
was ascribed to anti-Punjab policies of the Congress. The second
theory is that the Congress lobby supporting Gurmeet Ram Rahim
demanded expulsion of Jathedar Vedanti. Dera Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim
indicated it by asking his followers to demand the arrest of those
involved in destroying Premis’ property in Dabwali.
The third theory is that since efforts of Parmjit Singh Sarna and
Captain Amrinder Singh succeeded in Libra’s absence from the
confidence vote, the wind started blowing in their favor. To exploit
favors of the UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Sarna pleaded for a
central role to Captain Amrinder Singh in Punjab Congress. To bring
Dera Premis and Sikhs back in the Congress fold, the confrontation
between them had to end. The only stumbling block in such a unity
was Jathedar Vedanti. To oust him, a plan was developed with the
help of Congress bosses and the Union Government resources. Jathedar
Vedanti was projected as an ideologue of Khalistan who might use the
sovereign seat of the Akal Takht for a separate state. His utterance
made during his visit in USA in favor of an independent home for
Sikhs was cited as a proof of Vedanti’s secession.
The danger of using Akal Takht for such a purpose
was elevated near India’s Independence Day. The expulsion of Vedanti
was the culmination of strategies that Dera
Sauda-Sarnas-Spokesman-Amrinder clique had been using at the behest
of the Congress to stop Badals and BJP from taking advantage at the
hustings. Under such a plan, the unity of Jathedars of Takhts had to
be broken on one pretext or the other. Analysts apprehend such a
plan was in operation right from the start of the year 2008.
Two days before January 26, 2008, such a fear against Vedanti was
played when French president Nicolas Sarkozy visited India.
International Sikh Confederation had given a call to protest the ban
on turban in France. Jathedar Akal Takht had directed SGPC president
to talk with Dr. Manmohan Singh for sorting out the issue with the
French President. The Center Government feared Vedanti would issue
an edict from Akal Takht for raising Turban issue jeopardizing PM’s
position. Jathedar Iqbal Singh enjoying complete confidence of
stalwarts in Congress was made an instrument to level serious
charges against Vedanti and reject Nanakshahi Calendar. Patna
Jathedar created another controversy by unilaterally excommunicating
Prof Darshan Singh on the issue of Dasam Granth.
That came a few days before Guru Arjan Dev’s
Martyrdom and 1984 Blue Star Operation Day. The main players of this
game Sarnas, Dera Chief and Spokesman Editor Joginder Singh used the
Central Government for smearing Badal, spearheading a separatist
campaign from the precincts of Akal Takht. On 30 July 2008, Badal
warned the central government for creating circumstances for
militancy to come back. He had even asserted that Punjab militancy
was different from terrorism; it was more linked to discrimination
against Punjab. He also rejected BJP’s demand for re-imposing POTA.
Both BJP and Congress were upset by Badal’s unconventional remarks.
Manmohan Singh’s Government after winning the
confidence motion appeared stronger and more damaging for
adversaries. Congress and BJP seemed unanimous in portraying Vedanti
anti-India, therefore Badal made Jathedar Vedanti to leave without
any notice.
Jathedar’s ouster came with the installation of
Capt Amrinder Singh in an authoritative position. Badal got panicky
and understood the implications of his haphazard action against
Vedanti. He immediately tried to control the damage by sending his
goodwill ambassadors to placate infuriated Jathedar. But it was too
late. The chess-like complexity of each move had outwitted Badal
leaving him desperate for his future. Making Badal fire Vedanti was
like a bombshell that created favorable circumstances for Captain
Amrinder Singh’s comeback. The meeting with Calcutta was to use
Vedanti for anti-Badal propaganda. Congress celebrated the occasion
for killing two birds with one stone.
The fourth theory is that Dera Sauda issue was uniting Sikhs on the
issue of his arrest. Congress lobby owing allegiance to Dera Sauda
would do anything to break it and protect Gurmeet Ram Rahim from
arrest. Therefore, it succeeded in getting Vedanti fired. Now, the
path has been cleared for apology of Gurmeet Ram Rahim and also the
Editor of Spokesman.
Whatever might have led to the ouster of Joginder
Singh Vedanti, one thing is clear that it happened because of the
haphazard working style of demagogues in the state and the centre
government. If SGPC had decided on reasonable procedure and due
process for the appointment and expulsion of the Sikh clergy, the
bully would not have freedom to destroy the institution of Akal
Takht.
The newly installed Jathedar declared that the confrontation between
Sikhs and Premis was unfortunate. Vedanti’s ouster is interpreted as
a welcome step to end bitter relations. Giani Iqbal Singh again
became a welcome visitor. The bringing chief of Dera Sauda to the
Akal Takht unconditionally and forgiving him may not solve all
problems if the irritants between Sikhs and Premis are not removed.
Non-political Sikh scholars opine that
forgiveness is an integral part of Sikh religion. If the guilty
presents himself before the Akal Takht and is ready to accept
Punishment, such a Sikh should be accepted by the community. Some
politically motivated scholars reject forgiveness altogether whereas
others support forgiveness unconditionally.
Non-political scholars emphasize that to end the confrontation
permanently two options before Gurmeet Ram Rahim should be put. If
he wants to run his affairs as the head of his sect, he should have
freedom if he agrees not to make use of Sikh symbolism such as the
name of his sect as “Dera Sachha Sauda”, preaching selective Gurbani
and its alleged misinterpretation, and copying of traditions of
Sikhism. Second option, if he doesn’t want to make any amends but is
genuinely repentant, he should accept Guru Gobind Singh’s command to
believe in Guru Granth Sahib as the only Satguru of Sikhs. If
Gurmeet Ram Rahim accepts the second option, Sikhs should end their
confrontation with him without any precondition.
The indications are that Dera Chief doesn’t want to accede to any of
these conditions. His appearance at Akal Takht is totally a
political strategy to confound Sikhs. The attempt to use Akal Takht
through Badal’s new appointee may backfire if Dera Chief continues
to do what most irked Sikhs, his attack on the institution of Sikh
religion.
Dera Sauda Chief with vehement support of the
Central Government wants to become invincible by showing that he
still can call the shots in spite of criminal charges dangling on
his head. He influenced not only the internal politics of Sikhs, but
also paved the way for resurgence of the Punjab Congress party.
The new Jathedar’s task has become more complex as it is feared that
he’ll be used like a pawn between the political game of Parkash
Singh Badal and Captain Amrinder Singh. BJP and Akalis are the
parties known to use religion for politics, but the Congress while
maintaining its secular image, uses religion more strategically to
make the best of the political gain. The post-confidence vote in the
Lok Sabha required that Congress would address Sikhs in a big way.
The Guru Gaddi Divas at Nanded Sahib should in no way give the
entire political windfall to BJP and Akalis. When Capt. Amrinder and
Sarnas are around, Badal will have to struggle for sustaining his
pro-Sikh image.
(The author is a well known commentator of Punjab
and Sikhism related issues. He is based in Sacramento, CA)
27 August, 2008
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