Former Jathedar of Akal Takht excommunicated from Sikh community

In an unprecedented action the Akal Takht (highest Sikh temporal seat) here on Friday issued an edict excommunicating its former Jathedar(high priest) Professor Darshan Singh from Sikh community for uttering blasphemous remarks against the tenth Sikh master Guru Gobind Singh at a congregation in USA last year.

This is first time probably, wherein any former head of the Akal Takht was expelled from Sikh community in the 540 year old Sikh history, said sources of Akal Takht office.

The edict was issued in the evening, following marathon meeting of Sikh clergy led by Jatehdar Akal Takht Gyani Gurbachan Singh at the secretariat of Akal Takht in the presence of Jathedar Takht Damdama Sahib Gyani Balwant Singh Nandgarh, Jathedar Takht Kesgarh Sahib Gyani Tarlochan Singh, Jathedar Takht Patna Sahib Gyani Iqbal Singh and Vice Jatehdar Sachkhand Takht Hazoor Sahib Gyani Jotinder Singh.

Edict strictly advised entire Sikh community all over the world that Darshan Singh would not be entertained at anywhere in the world particularly in any Sikh shrine even he would not be accommodated at any religious place and nobody would keep any kind of relation with him.

Earlier, last year on December 5, Professor Darshan Singh was declared Tankhaiya (guilty for religious misconduct) in an edict issued from Akal Takht. But at the same time he was given opportunity to appear at Akal Takht before the Sikh clergy by January 7 and 29 this year to admit his past religious misdeed and to undergo Tankha (religious punishment) to be awarded from AKal Takht.

However, Prof Darshan Singh was given two chances in past to appear before the Sikh clergy and today it was the last chance, but he again failed to appear at Akal Takht, hence Sikh clergy in an one sided decision without hearing Darhsan Singh, passed harsh orders to expel him Singh from Sikh fold.

It may be mentioned that Darshan Singh was demanding that Sikh clergy should hear his clarification in full public view, whereas, Sikh clergy were for in camera meeting.

Professor Darshan Singh is a renowned Sikh scholar and well connected to Sikh community at various foreign countries and remained Jathedar Akal Takht during the peak days of militancy in Punjab in the year of 1986.

However, a radical Sikh organsiation Dal Khalsa spokes person Kanwarpal Singh expressing anguish over the excommunication of Prof Darshan Singh, described this development as sad and bad for the Sikh community.

jagmohanworld@gmail.com
with thanks : source : http://www.punjabnewsline.com/content/view/22909/38/

SikhsIndia
www.sohnijodi.com
www.sikhsindia.blogspot.com