Will Sikh clergy pronounce atonement for ex-jathedar?

AMRITSAR: Will the Sikh clergy pronounce atonement for former Akal Takht jathedar Darshan Singh if he fails to appear before them on Thursday — the January 7 deadline fixed by them after declaring him tankhaiya (guilty of religious misconduct)? On December 5, when the ex-jathedar had left without meeting the five priests, they had threatened a strict action against him if he failed to appear before them on January 7.

It is a delicate time for the clergy. After approving amendments in the Nanakshahi Calendar despite strong resistance from various Sikh organizations, it may find it an uphill task to settle amicably the issue of alleged sacrilege by one of their former colleagues, that too, by one who has remained Akal Takht jathedar two times.
Jaswinder Pal Singh, personal assistant to jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, told TOI on Wednesday that 87 different organizations based in USA, UK and Canada have sent representations for taking strict action against Darshan Singh. There have also been calls for an explanation over his alleged objectionable utterings against 10th Sikh master Guru Gobind Singh while delivering a sermon at a gurdwara in US.

On November 16, 2009, the Sikh clergy had directed Darshan Singh to appear before them at the Akal Takht secretariat on December 5 and give a clarification on his objectionable discourse. Instead of appearing before them, the former jathedar had gone to the Akal Takht along with a handful of supporters, prominent among them being Paramjit Singh Sarna, president of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), and placed a booklet containing his clarification in front of Sri Guru Granth Sahib. He had left the premises without meeting the clergy.

Irked, the priests had denied receiving the clarification and declared Darshan Singh a tankhaiya. They had also resummoned him to the Akal Takht office for January 7, failing which they warned of strict action against him, including excommunication from the Sikh Panth.Speaking over the phone from Switzerland, Karan Singh, president of Sikh Foundation, said the Sikh Diaspora was watching the episode closely and have also submitted their suggestions to Akal Takht office. “I am of the view that it is a very sensitive issue. The Sikh clergy should go through his clarification and take sufficient time (over it) before taking any decision,” he said.

Denying that Darshan Singh had approached him for accompanying him to the Akal Takht, Sarna claimed, “I don’t think he will appear (before it).”

with thanks : source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Will-Sikh-clergy-pronounce-atonement-for-ex-jathedar/articleshow/5418514.cms

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