The Tribune – High priests skip Big B issue again; AISSF hands over ‘evidence’ against actor Amitabh Bachchan

Perneet Singh, Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 25. The Sikh high priests again did not take up actor Amitabh Bachchan’s letter, pleading innocence in the 1984 riots, during their meeting at the Akal Takht Secretariat here today.

However, the All-India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) handed over “evidence” against Bachchan to the Sikh clergy. AISSF chief Karnail Singh Peermohammed said the “evidence”, including an affidavit and a CD, had been sent to them by California-based Manjit Singh Saini. He claims himself to be an “eyewitness” to the alleged incident in which Bachchan, also known as Big B, was reportedly instigating the crowd against the Sikhs outside the AIIMS in New Delhi on October 31, 1984, the day the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated.

Then, Saini used to live at Kalu Sarai in Hauz Khas, New Delhi, along with his parents and siblings. Peermohammed claimed Saini had sent them the “evidence” in a sealed envelope, which they submitted to the Sikh clergy as it is.

In his affidavit, Saini explained the entire sequence of events as he claimed to have witnessed on and after October 31, 1984.

Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh said they had received some documents from Peermohammed and Bibi Jagdish Kaur, a key witness in Sajjan Kumar case, pertaining to the Bachchan issue and they would look into the matter during their next meeting.

Meanwhile, the Sikh clergy pronounced “tankhah” (punishment for religious misconduct) against Prof Sarabjit Singh Dhunda for his objectionable remarks regarding the recitation of “Gurbani” at the Golden Temple. The “tankhah” was pronounced after Dhunda appeared before the clergy to clarify his stand on the controversy. He had also tendered a written apology. The situation was tense when Prof Dhunda arrived at the meeting venue as a large number of Sikh Students Federation (Mehta) activists were present outside. Had he not apologised before the Sikh clergy, the situation could have taken an ugly turn.

There was heavy presence of the SGPC task force, besides cops in civvies, to deal with any untoward situation.

In another move, the Sikh high priests have instructed all gurdwara committees to ensure that only baptised Sikhs should be engaged as “raagis” and “paathis”. The Sikh clergy has also recommended to the SGPC to felicitate marathon man Fauja Singh and Sikh intellectual Saroop Singh Alag. Earlier, the high priests released the amended Nanakshahi (New Year) calendar.

Jathedar pledges eyes

Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh on Saturday pledged his eyes in the presence of representatives of the Eye Donation Association, Hoshiarpur. He has become the second incumbent of the key post to have pledged his eyes. His predecessor Joginder Singh Vedanti had done the same during his stint.

‘All Birs in Bihar safe’

In view of the recent recovery of an ancient ‘bir’ of Guru Granth Sahib from three persons in New Delhi, Takht Sri Patna Sahib Jathedar Giani Iqbal Singh has said that all the “birs” at Takht Sri Patna Sahib were safe and secure.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120226/punjab.htm#1

The Tribune – Hondh-Chillar; AISSF to begin work on memorial next month

Perneet Singh, Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 13. Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh on March 6 this year laid the foundation stone of a memorial dedicated to those killed in the Hondh-Chillar carnage. Since then, there has been no work on the project.

The Jathedar had said: “The houses of Sikh families and the village gurdwara, lying in a shambles, will be preserved and a decision on any additions at the site taken later.” AISSF president Karnail Singh Peer Mohammed had then announced that the Sikh Sangat had donated Rs 25 lakh for the memorial.

A bitterly disappointed Manvinder Singh Giaspur, who had revealed the carnage site, said: “The leaders clearly wanted to draw political mileage from the issue.”

He claimed that his plea to the Akal Takht Jathedar to take the matter forward had got a cold response.

Giaspur said he was now making efforts to set up a trust to raise the memorial at Hondh-Chillar. Giaspur, who hails from Ludhiana, lost his job in Gurgaon after he discovered the carnage site.

Peer Mohammed claimed that the Akal Takht chief had told them he would get the work done through the SGPC. He said the SGPC had been given two months to start work on the memorial. “Now that the SGPC has not responded even after six months, we have decided to start work from November 1.” He said talks were on with the local panchayat for taking over possession of land for the memorial. The Jathedar could not be contacted for comment.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20111014/punjab.htm#9