Amritsar – Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Avtar Singh Makkar on Thursday said there was no move to remove five Takht Jathedars, including Akal Takht jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh.
“All is fine, there is nothing to worry,” said Makkar at a press conference here, brushing aside the queries on the deadlock with the Panj Pyaras (five beloved ones of the guru), who had asked the SGPC to remove the Takht jathedars on October 23.
Makkar was addressing the media after presiding over a meeting of SGPC executive committee at Kalgidhar Niwas here.
Talking to the media after chairing an executive meeting, SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar said it was for the government to handle the issue of “parallel jathedars”. He avoided queries on controversial issues saying it was not the right time to take up such matters.
He said: “The SGPC-appointed jathedars are here to stay. The government should look into the issues related to the so-called Sarbat Khalsa and the decisions taken thereof.” On the issue of transfer of Panj Pyaras, who have not joined at the new place of posting, he said the matter would be handled as per rules.
Feeling cheated, say Panj Pyaras Amritsar:
The Panj Pyaras have expressed disappointment with the SGPC ignoring its directions of removing Takht jathedars at its executive meeting on Thursday. One of the Panj Pyaras, Satnam Singh Khanda says, “We have been betrayed by the SGPC as we were told that the issue of removing five Takht heads would be decided during the executive meeting. We had taken a stand which would take its course in the court of ‘sangat’ (Sikh community) only.”
Executive member Karnail Singh Panjouli claims he had raised the issue removal of Takht jathedars in the meeting, but it was overlooked with Makkar saying that a three-member committee has been formed to look into the matter.