Akal Takht Jathedar announces decision after meeting of Panj Pyare

Additional Head Granthi also expelled over alleged obscene chats

Chandigarh, 20 September (H.S.): Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj on Sunday announced the expulsion of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) member Amarjit Singh Chawla from the Sikh Panth in connection with serious allegations against him. Additional Head Granthi of the Akal Takht, Malkit Singh, was also expelled over allegations of sending obscene messages.

The decision was taken at a meeting of five Panj Pyare at the Akal Takht Secretariat and was later announced from the Akal Takht by Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargaj.

Chawla, who was also a senior vice-president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal), has been booked on allegations of rape, wrongful confinement and criminal intimidation. Following the registration of the case, he resigned from all party posts as well as his SGPC membership.

The case was registered by Anandpur Sahib police on the complaint of a woman.

Those present at Sunday’s meeting included Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, who is also Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, Harmandir Sahib Granthi Giani Kewal Singh, Takht Sri Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Tek Singh, Akal Takht Granthi Giani Gurbakhshish Singh and Panj Pyare member Bhai Mangal Singh.

During the meeting, the allegations against Chawla were discussed in detail. The decision announced from the Akal Takht stated that serious allegations involving a “Bajjar Kurahit” had been levelled against him. Under the Sikh Rehat Maryada, committing any of the four Bajjar Kurahits can lead to exclusion from the Sikh fold.

The five Sikh high priests decided that Chawla would remain expelled from the Khalsa Panth until he proves his innocence in the matter and appears before the Akal Takht Sahib.

The Sikh Sangat was also directed not to maintain religious association with him. The order further bars Chawla from serving in Sikh institutions for life.

The Jathedar also instructed SGPC members, Sikh organisations, jathebandis and sects to maintain high standards of personal conduct so that no religious institution faces disrepute because of the actions of an individual.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH