Punjab MLA Manwinder Singh Giaspura declared tankhaiya by Sri Akal Takht Sahib over objectional remarks on Sri Darbar Sahib
PTC Web Desk: The five Sikh high priests (Panj Singh Sahiban) at Sri Akal Takht Sahib on Friday declared Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Manwinder Singh Giaspura, who represents Payal in Ludhiana district, 'tankhaiya' (guilty of religious misconduct) over his allegations of caste discrimination at Sri Darbar Sahib. Sikhs have been directed to avoid associating with him.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the Singh Sahiban at the Akal Takht Secretariat.
Notably, a delegation of AAP MLAs and politicians visited the Akal Takht Secretariat on October 12. Singh Sahiban said Giaspura was informed at that time about his derogatory remarks concerning the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and Sikh institutions. According to them, he made false allegations of caste discrimination against sewadars of Sri Darbar Sahib and used highly objectionable language about Sri Harmandir Sahib and Sri Akal Takht Sahib, deeply hurting Sikh sentiments worldwide.
The Singh Sahiban said the MLAs who appeared before them as a delegation today acknowledged the same.
Also Read | Sri Akal Takht Sahib summons 15 AAP MLAs on October 15 over Giaspuras objectionable remarks
The Singh Sahiban held that Giaspura, despite being an Amritdhari Sikh, created a false narrative based on caste and spread hatred. They said his remarks went against the Sikh principle and gave anti-Sikh elements an opportunity to launch propaganda against Sikh institutions. His offence, they said, was very grave and an attack on Sikh principles.
Citing Sikh history, the Singh Sahiban said Guru Nanak Dev ji kept Bhai Mardana with him at all times to teach that no one is big or small by birth. Guru Amar Das ji established pangat, in which even Emperor Akbar sat among the congregation. Guru Ram Das ji founded the holy sarovar at Amritsar and Sri Darbar Sahib has four doors symbolising openness to all. Guru Gobind Singh ji ended distinctions of caste, class, colour and race. They noted that Amrit is still administered from a single bowl at Takht Sahibs.
In another decision, preacher Jiwan Singh Bagichi Wale was barred from delivering sermons and performing kirtan. The Singh Sahiban said his arbitrary interpretations create confusion among the Sangat.
Earlier, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj and Giani Tek Singh visited Mansa to express condolences with the family of Parvinder Singh Jhota, an anti-drug activist who was shot dead by a chemist in Mansa earlier this week. Jathedar Gargaj offered ardas (prayer) in his memory, attended by his father Bhim Singh, other family members and the congregation. He prayed for the success of the family’s struggle for justice and for the people of all communities in Punjab to unite against drugs. The Jathedar embraced Bhai Parvinder Singh’s two sons and appealed to the Panth and the people of Punjab to extend maximum support to the family.
The Jathedar said Bhai Parvinder Singh was a martyr of the community who, despite having an option to live safely, chose the path of sacrifice while struggling for the people and youth.
Jathedar Gargaj alleged that Bhai Parvinder Singh was shot openly by a drug trafficker with official patronage. He questioned the police’s conduct in registering several cases against him and said those raising their voice against drugs were being targeted. “The body can be ended, but not the thought,” he said, adding that the people of Punjab would resist this strongly.
The Jathedar said some mischievous elements were trying to portray the incident as a Hindu-Sikh conflict. He said it was a joint fight of all communities against drugs and that yesterday’s Punjab bandh showed all communities stood together. He urged the government to identify and curb such elements and said communal polarisation would never be allowed to succeed in Punjab.
Stating that the drug problem must be eradicated at its roots and that this is the government’s responsibility, he said action against only the station house officer in Mansa would not suffice. Responsibility, he said, must be fixed across the entire chain of officials responsible for curbing drug trafficking.
The Jathedar announced that the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) would bear the treatment expenses of all those injured in the incident and that the SGPC president would soon visit Mansa and ensure follow-up.
- PTC NEWS
