SGPC reinstates Panj Pyaras
SGPC reinstates Panj Pyaras Amritsar, Oct 25 (PTI) Under fire over suspending Panj Pyaras for seeking removal of Jathedars of five Takhts, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) today revoked their suspension. SGPC President Avtar Singh Makkar today reinstated Panj Pyaras (the beloved five of the Guru) who were suspended by him for summoning the Jathedars of five Takhts including Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh. SGPC Additional Secretary Diljeet Singh Bedi, in a press release issued this evening, said while exercising the powers granted to him to take a call on this issue by the executive of the SGPC, Makkar has reinstated the five beloved Sikhs. The SGPC executive in a meeting held at Chandigarh on October 22 had authorised Makkar to take a final call regarding the suspension of Panj Pyaras. In an unprecedented move, the Panj Pyaras of the Akal Takht on October 23 had asked the SGPC to remove the Jathedars of five Takhts after they failed to turn up in the Golden Temple complex to explain the pardon given to Dera Sacha Sauda head Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. But later, SGPC President Avtar Singh Makkar said the suspended Panj Pyaras have no "legal right" to issue any religious edict, alleging that they had "created furore and restlessness in the community". On October 21, Panj Pyaras -- Bhai Satnam Singh, Bhai Mangal Singh, Bhai Major Singh, Bhai Satnam Singh and Bhai Tarlok Singh had summoned five Jathedars at Akal Takht for their role in granting pardon to the Dera chief over a blasphemy episode. Panj Pyaras who perform the 'amrit sanchar' (baptisim ceremony) had summoned Giani Gurbachan Singh, Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Iqbal Singh Jathedar of Takht Patna Sahib, Giani Mal Singh Jathedar of Takht Kesgarh Sahib, Giani Gurmukh Singh, Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib and Giani Ram Singh Dhoopia, of Takht Hazoor Sahib, Nanded. Makkar had also met Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal yesterday in connection with the ongoing crisis in the state.
