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Indian Sikhs gather during Sarbat Khalsa, or congregation of Sikhs, on the outskirts of Amritsar. (AFP photo)
CHABBA VILLAGE (Amritsar): Challenging the authority of Sikhism's highest religious body, several Sikh organizations came together on Tuesday and held a Sarbat Khalsa on the outskirts of Amritsar, triggering fears of a revival of the Khalistan movement as the conclave chose former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh's assassin Jagtar Singh Hawara as the jathedar (head priest) of the Akal Takht, the supreme temporal seat of Sikhism in the Golden Temple complex.
The parallel conclave was predictably opposed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhadhak Committee (SGPC), the all-powerful and cash-rich body that controls most gurdwaras in northern India and is the final arbiter of the faith. And it was also opposed by Punjab's ruling party, Shiromani Akali Dal-Badal (SAD-B), which draws legitimacy as a party representing Sikh interests.
The SAD-B and SGPC insisted Tuesday's gathering had no authority as it was not held according to Sikh tradition. SGPC chief Avatar Singh Makkar said a Sarbat Khalsa could be called only by the Akal Takht jathedar at the Golden Temple.
READ ALSO:Sarbat Khalsa has many similarities with Sikhs' congregation held in January 1986
Tuesday's conclave threatened to take its challenge forward by organizing another Sarbat Khalsa, the diverse conference where matters temporal and divine are discussed, in the spring of 2016.
While reading out the resolutions, president of United Akali Dal (UAD) Mohkam Singh announced that they had appointed Hawara, currently in jail for masterminding the assassination of Beant Singh in 1995, as the jathedar of the Akal Takht following which the gathering loudly applauded the decision.
Since Hawara was in jail, former Lok Sabha MP of SAD (Amritsar) from Ferozepur Dhian Singh Mand was asked to hold the office in his absence.
READ ALSO:Sarbat Khalsa revives demand for 'Sikh State'
Tuesday's Sarbat Khalsa declared former Punjab DGP, Supercop KPS Gill and Lt General (retired) Kuldeep Singh Brar who had led Operation Bluestar as 'tankhiya' (religious outcastes) and directed them to appear before Akal Takht on November 30.
UAD was floated on November 23, 2014 and is comprising more than two dozen smaller Sikh groups, mainly former Khalistan activists. Former chief of Khalistan Commando Force, Wassan Singh Zaffarwal, is also an office-bearer of UAD with hardline leader Mohkam Singh as its president.
"The Centre is concerned about the growing dissent in Punjab among different sections," said a senior Union home ministry official. The ministry has been sharing inputs with the Punjab government on the plans by Pakistan-based elements to stoke communal fires in the state by attacking religious symbols and places.
As expected, the gathering removed jathedars (high priests) of the four top temporal seats of Sikhism. This included Akal Takht jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, jathedar of Takht Kesgarh Sahib Giani Mal Singh, jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib Giani Gurmukh Singh and jathedar of Takht Hazur Sahib Giani Iqbal Singh.
The organisers of Tuesday's gathering said they had removed the priests for their alleged failure to maintain 'maryada' (Sikh religious code), giving importance to their personal interests, materialistic needs and political ambitions which promoted them to pardon Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim. The gathering appointed three acting jathedars of Takhts.
The head of the Sirsa-based dera was accused in 2007 of imitating the 10th Sikh master Guru Gobind Singh after which the Akal Takht had ordered that Sikhs should sever ties with the dera. On September 24, the Takht pardoned the preacher leading to resentment among Sikh organisations.
The Sarbat Khalsa appointed chief of breakaway faction of Damdami Taksal, Ajnala, Amrik Singh Ajnala as the jathedar of Takht Kesgarh Sahib and Baljit Singh Daduwal as jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib.
After removing the clerics, the Sarbat Khalsa also went ahead and resolved to frame a draft constitution for the independent stature of Akal Takht by November 30 which would be presented during 2016 Sarbat Khalsa for approval. The draft would include rules for appointment and removal of jathedars and bring transparency in their working, the organisers claimed.
Rejecting Nanakshai Calendar, the Sarbat Khalsa resolved on the need of a separate Sikh's calendar and vowed to work for the same. They also sought giving Vatican city like status to Golden Temple where no law of any country would be applicable.
What is Sarbat Khalsa and its importance
Sarbat Khalsa represents the collective will of Khalsa Panth (baptised Sikhs). This institution evolved in 18th century when community leaders would gather to deliberate on issues placed before them and the decisions would be binding on all. While SGPC has claimed it can be called only by the Akal Takht jathedar and can be held at Akal Takht only, several Sikh scholars and former jathedars have differed.
Hawara third to be declared jathedar when lodged in jail
Jasbir Singh Rode was the first priest to be declared Akal Takht jathedar when he was lodged in jail, Bhai Ranjit Singh, who was convicted for assassination of Nikrankari sect chief Gurbachan Singh, was the second to be appointed jathedar by SGPC when he was still in jail in the 1990s.
Awards withdrawn
Sarbat Khalsa also resolved to withdraw Fakhar-e-Quom and Panth Rattan awards given to chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and Shiromani Sewak award from SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar holding him responsible for downsizing the significance of SGPC.
World Sikh parliament demanded
The Sikh's gathering also sought formation of World Sikh Parliament under the aegis of Akal Takht and have suggested formation of a joint committee of Sikhs from world over, the draft for the proposed committee's working would be prepared by November 30th also presented in 2016 Sarbat Khalsa.
