Kaur to appear before Akal Takht Jathedar

Kaur to appear before Akal Takht Jathedar
UNITED NEWS OF INDIA

AMRITSAR, FEBRUARY 1: The stage is set for ex-communicated SGPC President Bibi Jagir Kaur to appear here on Wednesday before a defiant Akal Takht jathedar Giani Puran Singh, who has ruled out any compromise with the ruling Akali Dal (Badal) on the issue.

``The matter involved is religious in nature. There is no question of toning it down,'' he said. Giani Puran Singh said that his order ex-communicating Bibi Jagir Kaur from the Sikh `panth' for violating his order restraining her from implementing the `nanakshai' calendar was within the parametres of the Sikh traditions and tenets.

``No one can defame the Akal Takht. It is the highest spiritual and temporal seat of the Sikhs,'' he added. According to other sources, the `panj payaras' panel which will be hearing the case would comprise the same five priests who had passed the ex-communication order against Bibi Jagir Kaur after a meeting held at Guna in Madhya Pradesh on January 25. Besides Giani Puran Singh, the four other priests who would deliberate onthe case are Bhai Resham Singh, Bhai Suba Singh, Bhai Charan Singh and Bhai Milkha Singh.

The jathedar said that there was no question of withdrawing the edict against Bibi Jagir Kaur. ``The SGPC President has challenged the supremacy and authority of the Akal Takht. She will have to appear before the Takht on Wednesday alongwith her executive members,'' he pointed out.

Giani Puran Singh said that, as per the Sikh `maryada', the SGPC head must appear before the Takht and clarify the charges levelled against her by the `Singh sahibs'. ``We will deliberate on her clarification and accordingly take a decision on Wednesday,'' he said.

The SGPC president has already indicated that she would abide by the Akal Takht jathedar's directive, and would appear before the Takht. Sources close to the jathedar indicated that Bibi Jagir Kaur's ex-communication order might not be revoked on Wednesday and that she would be asked by the Sikh clergy to submit her resignation to the Akal Takht head. She would subsequently bedirected to reappear before the Takht at a given date.

Giani Puran Singh denied that a section has been lobbying to get the ex-communication order revoked.