Issue 69 Vol III, August 15, 2008

F O C U S

Pakistan: Musharraf quits, avoids impeachment
Amir Mir of the IPS writes  from Islamabad

PAKISTAN President Pervez Musharraf resigned from office on August 18, ending weeks of speculation over whether he would quit or face impeachment on charges of illegally seizing power by a parliament elected in February and dominated by political parties opposed to him.

Musharraf, who grabbed power in a bloodless military coup in October 1999, was compelled to resign after the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) of assassinated former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), led by another former prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, and buried differences over the impeachment issue.

Musharraf had kept both Sharif and Bhutto in exile for years. Both returned to fight the general elections but Bhutto was assassinated on Dec. 27 while on campaign. There was no immediate word on whether Musharraf himself would now leave the country.

In his last days in office Musharraf found himself isolated. Pakistan’s powerful army -- of which he was chief until November -- decided to stay neutral. And the party he nurtured, the Pakistan Muslim League - Qaid (PML-Q), began to distance itself as soon as he handed over command of the army to Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.

Musharraf was also under increasing criticism by Washington for failing to keep the promises he made to fight elements of the Taliban and the al-Qaeda that had dug in along the rugged the Pakistan- Afghanistan border and were offering resistance to U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan.

But officials said Musharraf’s friends in the United States, Britain and Saudi Arabia stepped in to ensure a safe exit for him.

In his hour-long address over the state-run Pakistan TV, Musharraf, a former commando, showed strong nerves. "No charge sheet can stand against me. Not even a single charge can be proven against me as I have full trust in Allah Almighty and I did everything with the belief of Pakistan First."

''This is not time for individual bravado. [Whether] I lose or win in impeachment proceedings, the Pakistani nation will be the loser,'' Musharraf said in his address. He was convinced that the ‘’honor and dignity of the country will be affected [by the resignation] and in my view, the honor of the office of president will also be affected’’.

His opponents thought different. "It's a victory for all democratic forces and it's victory for Benazir Bhutto and all those who sacrificed their lives for democracy," said PPP spokeswoman Farzana Raja.

Musharraf, who had been adamant for the last two weeks not to resign and instead face impeachment proceedings, announced that after consultations with his legal advisers and close political supporters, he has decided to resign in the larger national interest.

‘’I hope the nation and the people of Pakistan will forgive my mistakes as I believe that whatever I have done in the past was in good faith; for the betterment of the people, and for the country".

‘’Even if the impeachment fails, Musharraf said, ‘’relations between the presidency and the parliament will never be the same again. As ‘Pakistan first’ has been my philosophy, I eventually decided to quit without creating a fuss in the supreme national interest".

‘’He [Musharraf] tried to justify pretty much what he had done, but I think at the end of the day this was the only option, because the space for him to remain president had shrunk so much that it had become impossible to carry on,’’ said information minister and PPP member Sherry Rehman, reacting to the address.

As army general Musharraf was responsible for masterminding the 1999 armed incursions into the Indian part of the divided territory of Kashmir at Kargil, that triggered off a military standoff between the South Asian countries. A full-scale war was averted between the nuclear-armed neighbours only because of Western intervention led by Washington.

In the October of 1999 Musharraf seized power by ousting a government led by Sharif. He succeeded in fending off international calls for the restoration of democracy mostly by reinventing himself as a key ally of the U.S. in the ‘war on terror’ in neighbouring Afghanistan.

A grateful Washington pumped in more than ten billion dollars worth of aid meant for the war effort, that indirectly helped Musharraf stave off challenges to his rule. Questions are now being asked as to how and where that money was actually spent.

Musharraf’s luck began to run out in March last year when he tried to oust the chief justice of the Supreme Court Iftikhar Chaudhry, triggering an open confrontation with the country’s influential legal fraternity.

In November he forced his own re-election for another five-year term and sacked 60 members of country’s higher judiciary, when they refused to endorse a state of emergency he ordered. But his political allies were defeated by the PPP and the PML-N in the February elections, sealing his fate. [Courtesy IPS]

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India is not a winner in Jammu and Kashmir
Gobind Thukral

IF you watch television or carefully read newspapers, one subtext that comes out loud and clear is that anarchy has been let lose in the troubled state of Jammu and Kashmir. And, it is a carefully crafted transcript. An outgoing governor, S.K.Sinha does a cool monkey business by allotting 100 acres of forest land to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board. The governor is a retired army general with lot many grievances against the Congress. Yet this was enthusiastically endorsed by the then chief Minster, Ghulam Nabi Azad and the coalition partner, Peoples Democratic Party. On the face of this innocuous decision could be considered a benevolent gesture as this was to facilitate the pilgrims to the holy cave of lord Shiva. The union and the state governments spend billions of rupees each year for maintaining and facilitating pilgrimage to Hindu, Muslim and Sikh places of worship. In fact, there are laws governing the management of these shrines and some of these are under the direct control of the several state governments.

Yet as the governor who had invited BJP leader L.K. Advani, to pay obeisance at the shrine and other leaders should have known that in a sharply polarized polity, some elements could exploit the allotment of land. Within days, there were demonstrations, bundhs and violence in Kashmir, particularly Srinagar. Extremist Muslim organisations, always in search of volatile emotive issues, lost no time. What we had was another bout of violence. The PDP now backtracked as did Farooq Abdullah and his Nation Conference. Within days, the Congress lead government, now reduced to minority had to resign. Azad, considered experienced by many leaders in Delhi could have easily anticipated the reaction from the valley where hard communal elements propagated that this decision was meant  to change the  population  configuration of Kashmir Valley and settle Hindus over there. Result loss of four innocent lives and damage to property.

Feeling isolated and panicky, the government tried to save the day by making the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board withdraw its demand for the land and thus revoked the order issued earlier. It thought it has solved the problem. New governor N.N.Vohra was much relieved and felt he could now concentrate on administration and development. What he got in turn was an unprecedented violence in Jammu region. Hindu right wing organisations like Shiv Sena, Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad under the overall umbrella of the BJP have unleashed not only a hate campaign that found  resonance in far off Madhya Pradesh where two persons died in clashes,  but have  also sharpened  divisive communal politics. The reaction Jammu region that has felt ignored for many other reasons was expected, if not of this magnitude.

For over a month now, there had been complete bundh in Jammu and many other cities. Daily run of curfew and firings and counter firings have claimed over a dozen innocent lives, many more have been injured. Policemen have been lynched. For the first time in Jammu region in some years, even army conveys have been attacked by the instigated mobs. There is no section of society in Jammu that has not suffered due this unparallel strikes and bundhs and the consequent action from the police and security forces. Similar has been the situation in Kashmir Valley. Violence has spread even to Poonch, Rajouri and Sambha and many towns. If hospitals are full of injured and the sick, there are no medicines and other services have been affected. Schools, colleges and universities are all shut.

Life has been put out of gear, literally. National highways are blocked at several places. Movement of even essential goods; food, gas and petroleum products and life saving medicines on the only road link to Kashmir valley from India via Jammu is effectively blocked. Hundreds of trucks laden with fruit like apples from the Kashmir valley to Jammu and then to rest of India are stranded. Even army has not completely succeeded in removing the blockade.

One newspaper estimated that during the month of July alone transport sector has suffered losses worth Rs 200 crore. Traders have lost Rs 90 crore. The daily loss to industry is estimated up to Rs 70 crore and the Lakhanpur toll post is losing Rs four crore daily. Over 2,000 vehicles, mostly carrying goods and passengers were moving daily to Jammu has come down to 500. The number of pilgrims coming to Vaishnodevi shrine has fallen from 20,000 daily to five thousand and to Amarnath Cave, the point of dispute just 400 from 15,000 daily.

Kashmir valley has lost over Rs 3,00 crore in trade. Another Rs 125 crore is the estimated loss to fruit traders. Tourism has suffered another loss of Rs 200 crore. Hundreds of families have been ruined. Daily wagers have no jobs and no food to eat. They are on doles. Starvation may follow soon. How weak is the modern state is visible even to a causal observer.

While Pakistan should be happy as the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has pointed out to the opposition leaders, there are leaders and parties in India that hope to make a neat political capital out of this sharpened communal divide. Vote bank politics tell them to sharpen this divide and make it an all India affair. Forget basic economic issues and the India US Nuclear deal, here is a tested weapon; communal divide. It looks quite strange that governor Sinha was allowed to overstay his term in Jammu and Kashmir despite his known propensity to such divisive actions. Prime minister was repeatedly told by his friends and well wishers including senior journalists that he should be transferred if not removed from an extra sensitive state that sits on a tinder box, but he did nothing. The country is paying the wages of this procrastination.

We wonder why the rulers of the country do not admit that India is a deeply divided society on communal and caste lines. We are first something else and Indians last. We are terribly parochial and communal people and not only our religion and castes even sub castes are more important than being citizens of this ‘great’ country. If we admit these facts and only then we can think of ways and means to clean the polity of divisive vote bank politics and caste appeasement in the name of affirmative action and what not. We can then hope to get out of this mess.

Look at this simple issue. Amarnath Cave was discovered by Kashmiri Muslim shepherds and maintained by them. Even now they offer all kinds of services to thousands of pilgrims each year for a month long yatra. There was no danger in the allotment of this land, but what was the need when the state and the security forces were doing their best to make the pilgrims secure and comfortable.  Those who conveniently forgot about this communal divide and the feared reaction should ponder over; lose Kashmir for one hundred acres of forest land.

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‘India cannot be at war with itself’

“Politicians, like children, cannot be allowed to play with fire. Both at times can take an emotional view of a situation and do things without thinking a wee bit about the consequences of what they are doing.” This is how H.K Dua, a perceptive editor of the leading newspaper, saw the dodgy situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

In a frontage signed editorial, Dua who had the distinction of editing most leading English language   dailies from Delhi   wrote more in anguish. “In India, where diversities of various kinds have yet to blend into the essential unity that should underscore a nation on the move, utmost caution has to be observed by political leaders — local, regional or national — to ensure that primordial passions do not come to prevail.

“What has been happening in Jammu during the last few weeks was simply avoidable, if only some of those who had the power to decide had foreseen the havoc they were out to cause in the sensitive state of Jammu and Kashmir.

“All competent army commanders think in advance as to what could be the outcome of their decisions. The Jammu tragedy may not have occurred if only the Governor, Lt-Gen. S.K. Sinha, had cared to ponder for a while what would be the consequences before deciding to transfer the land to the Amarnath Shrine Board he himself was heading.

“After 11 years of experience as Governor, two years as Ambassador and an army career replete with decorations, he ought to have figured out what kind of reaction and counter-reaction it would cause in the Kashmir Valley and Jammu and vice-versa. It is a matter of deep regret that he allowed his personal beliefs — if not agenda — and a desire to leave behind a legacy for which he would be remembered to be given precedence over sound political judgement required of a Governor of Jammu and Kashmir.

“Once the fire was lit, wittingly or otherwise, anger swept the Valley and passions burst out in Jammu. One event led to another. In Jammu particularly, chaos came to prevail with many crossing the line from legitimate protest to sheer violence.

“Rampaging crowds tore through Jammu and the neighbouring towns, attacked trucks and buses and even stopped traffic on the national highway linking Kashmir with the rest of the country. Little did the rioters and their leaders with petty ambitions realise how much damage they were causing to national unity.

“Various outfits of the Sangh Parivar saw in the rioting an opportunity to rehabilitate themselves in the public eye. As the BJP functionaries came to the Sangharsh Samiti, the BJP leaders at the Centre also began seeing electoral gains the party could make in the forthcoming state elections as well as using the Amarnath land issues as a plank for parliamentary polls.

“Unmindful of their duty, Mr Lal Krishan Advani and other senior BJP leaders, rather than exercising restraint, seemed to be rationalising the agitation. They took no steps to ensure that the Sangharsh Samiti did not follow the path of violence. As if he was a leader of the Sangharsh Samiti and not President of a responsible national party, Mr Rajnath Singh, in fact, began making a strange demand for the recall of new Governor N.N. Vohra. And it is a pity that even local Congress leaders showed lack of wisdom and chose to join the agitation, rather than stay at a distance.

“Possibly, the people of the Jammu region had for long felt discriminated against and the pent-up anger burst out on the land transfer issue. In a democracy, however, there are enough avenues for voicing legitimate protest without resorting to violence that always proves divisive and destructive.

“The leaders who either led or approved of the agitation should have seen the dangers of letting the rioters go on the rampage, blocking all road traffic and supplies of food, petrol and medicines and other essentials to the Valley. That the people in the Valley thought it was a kind of economic blockade of the Valley only helped the separatists to raise their head again.

“During successive wars, Pakistan has aimed to cut off the national highway but has always failed. The Jammu rioters and their leaders did not see the ramifications of their blocking the lifeline.

“While the communal divide has sharpened on both sides of Banihal, in Jammu, one heard the dangerous demand for a separate state of Jammu or a Dogra State. Separate statehood for Jammu was demanded by the RSS a few years ago, but we had thought this had been given up. The BJP would need to make it clear that the demand for a separate statehood has been buried.

“A separate state for Jammu means carving out the areas of Doda, Rajouri and Poonch and linking them with the Valley. This has the seeds of the old Owen Dixon Plan, which found new avatars later in the Kathwari proposal or the Chenab formula which sought merger of the Muslim areas of Kargil and the Jammu region with the Valley. Essentially, it means a division of Jammu and Kashmir on the basis of religion - a concept India has always been opposed to. Pakistan and the separatists would love this kind of division of Jammu and Kashmir. In no case should this thought be encouraged by any national party.

“No one is denying the people of Jammu the right to protest and voice their grievances, some of which could be genuine. But resorting to violence, blocking traffic and supplies to the Valley cannot be approved of, irrespective of which political party is in power and which sits in the opposition. This basic realisation seemed to have luckily prevailed at last night's meeting of the political parties. But they must ensure on the ground that whatever the issues, they cannot underscore the culture of violence as a means of protest.

“India, poised for taking big leaps in the 21st century, cannot be seen to be at war with itself.” [Courtesy The Tribune August 8, 2008]

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Land row affects fruit business in Kashmir
Ajmer Alam Wani writes from Srinagar

THOUGH good rainfall coupled with moderate temperatures this year yielded a bumper crop, the fruit growers of Kashmir are a troubled lot these days. They are not able to send the fruits to markets as agitators are blocking the Srinagar-Jammu Highway in Jammu in a protest against the revocation of land allotted to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB).

Horticulture is the second biggest source of earning for the rich and poor in the Kashmir Valley and most of the produce is marketed outsidey. The shutdown has lead to a major loss in fruit industry.

According to the growers, they have incurred losses in millions due to the ongoing protests in the valley."We have incurred loss of crores since shrine board agitation. Before this, even we had incurred losses. Our trucks were loaded with pear and apples were looted in Samba, Vijaypur and Udhampur," said Mohd Yousuf, president of Kashmir fruit growers association.

The truck drivers are even scared of going out and those who dare to deliver the product are forced to return half way.

"I had apples and pear loaded in my truck, but I had to return back half way. The owner of the fruits was even shocked that I had returned with the fruits and every thing is rotten. I left three days ago but no one allowed us to cross Lakhanpur," said Shabir Ahmad, a truck driver.

The shutdown has affected the tourism industry and now the fruit industry is even on the verge of getting wiped out.

The fruit growers are totally shattered by the loss. Fed up with the losses incurred because of the agitation in the Jammu region, the Kashmir-based fruit and vegetable growers want the government to help them out of the prevailing situation.

"We are incurring a loss of crores daily. The growers have to either sell their land or commit suicide," said Mohd Yaseen, a fruit dealer.

The revocation of the allotted land to the shrine Board has catalysed a massive protest in Jammu resulting in shutdown and curfew for last few weeks.

The protestors have reportedly caused damage to the trucks loaded with fruits and have caused a terror amongst the fruit dealers and truck drivers causing a great loss to the fruit industry.

The Jammu and Kashmir Economy depends mostly on traditional form of occupation. Unaffected and unaltered by modern day industrial developments and changing times, the indigenous traditional occupations of farming, animal husbandry and horticulture forms the backbone of the economy of the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

A state affected by continued violence and insurgency, the economy of Jammu and Kashmir is an undeveloped one. However in the recent years, the government of Jammu and Kashmir has taken several significant steps to strengthen the financial condition of the state and improve the standard of living of the indigenous local inhabitants.

Farming is one of the predominant economic activities of the state. The majority of the native population depends on primitive forms of shifting agriculture. The valleys of the region form suitable grounds to grow various kinds of crops that earn a large chunk of revenue for the state.

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The Akal Takhat Jathedar and Sikh polity
Jagpal S Tiwana writes from Halifax

Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti resigned from his position as Jathedar of Akal Takhat on August 5, 2008. According to Jathedar Vedanti, he was forced to quit by Akali Chief Minister S. Parkash Singh Badal's men who are running Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (S.G.P.C.). The unceremonial exit of the Jathedar Vedanti has upset many Sikh bodies and organizations since the position is held in high esteem by Sikhs from all over the world. Sometime the Jathedar of Akal Takhat is compared to Pope in Christianity.

The institution of Akal Takhat was started by Guru Hargobind as a political wing of Sikh religion to defend his followers from the tyranny of the rulers of the time. Since its inception in 1608, it has a glorious history and its Jathedar has guided the Sikhs during critical times in the past.

The position of the Jathedar has evolved since the first quarter of the 17th century when Bhai Gurdas was appointed as the first custodian of Akal Takhat called Akal Bunga at that time. Guru Hrgobind used this to take political decisions, issue Hukmanamas and invite his followers to come to the place with arms and horses .The first Hukamnama was issued by the Guru on June 30, 1606 in this context. But Guru Hargobind had to leave the place in 1734 due to the hostilities of the Mughal rulers; it came in the possession of the Minas, descendants of Prithvi Chand. However in 1721, Bhai Mani Singh took Harmandir Sahib and Akal Takhat under his control at the behest of Mata Sundri. During the Misl period, Sarbat Khalsa used to meet at Akal Takhat twice in a year on Baisakhi and Diwali days. Historic decisions were taken and strategy was discussed to fight against the Mughal forces and invaders from North-West.  Nawab Kapur Singh, Jassa Singh Ahluwalia and later Akali Phula Singh were the Jathedars of Akal Takhat and guided the panth in the critical times. According to H S Dilgeer, "In April 1759 a Hukamnama was issued in the name of the Sarbat Khalsa to all Sikhs to make generous offering for the rebuilding of Darbar Sahib. The seal of Akal Takhat was used on these Hukamnama."

By 1799 Ranjit Singh had captured Lahore, yet the he was not completely free from the influence of Akal Takhat. In 1800, Akali Phula Singh took charge of Akal Takhat and put an end to all anti Sikh rituals and practices performed there.  He even summoned the powerful Maharaja at Akal Takhat for having an affair with Moran, a Muslim nautch girl.  Ranjit Singh was again punished by Akal Takhat Jathedar when he donated a beautiful canopy to Akal Takhat after using it for some time. In 1805, when Maratha chief Jaswant Rao Holkar came to Punjab to get Ranjit Singh's support against the British, the Sikh Maharaja summoned a meeting of Sarbat Khalsa at  Akal Takhat to take a collective decision. This was perhaps the last time when he sought the advice of Sarbat Khalsa. After that he started making his own decisions by consulting his Sikh, Hindu and Muslim ministers and advisors. We don't find much activity at Akal Takhat till British took over Punjab in mid 19th century.

Under the British, Akal Takhat Jathedar or custodian gradually started asserting his authority. To start with, Sanatani Sikhs who believed that Sikhism was part of Hinduism were in control of Darbar Sahib. They, however, came in clash with radical reformers of Lahore Singh Sabha who were determined to free Sikhism from Hindu influence. Since the Sanatani had control of Akal Takhat, they issued a Hukamnama on 14 March, 1887 excommunicating Prof. Gurmukh Singh, Secretary of Lahore Singh Sabha. Though it was issued by pro Hindu Sanatani Sikhs, it still had some force and sanctity and it affected Gurmukh Singh’s standing in Sikh community. Despite this Gurmukh Singh did not flinch back from his mission or apologized. Finally after 108 years, the hukamnama against Prof. Gurmukh Singh was specifically withdrawn by the World Sikh Convention held in Amritsar in 1995

Role of Jathedar Akal Takhat after 1920:

Strictly a care taker or a custodian in charge of Akal Takhat was not called Jathedar before 20th century.  Actually, the title of Jathedar of Akal Takhat came into being in 1920.  On October 12, 1920 Singh Sabha reformers took lower caste Sikhs to Harmandir Sahib and Akal Takhat to pay homage. Priests in charge of Akal Takhat did not like this, but did not have courage to face Sangat. They slipped away leaving the holy place vacant.  Sangat took over Akal Takhat and appointed Jathedar Teja Singh Bhuchar in charge of Akal Takhat. Since Bhuchar led the jatha to Akal Takhat, he came to be known as Jathedar Akal Takhat.  A jatha of 25 Sikhs was put at his command to help him to look after Akal Takhat.

SGPC founded.

On November 15, 1920 Jathedar Teja Singh Bhuchar called a meeting of all Sikh organizations and Sikh bodies at Akal Takhat. Here Sikhs decided to oust the pro-Government priests from Gurudwaras and formed a committee of 175 members to run their management. This is how Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee [S.G.P.C.] was formed. Next month on December 14, 1920 Shiromani Akali Dal, a political wing of the SGPC was launched.  Jathedar Teja Singh Bhuchar was elected secretary of the new Akali Dal. This further added strength to his position and standing in the community.

Jathedar Bhuchar did not just sit there as a custodian of the place; he provided leadership to the community. He led a jatha to Taran Taran Gurdwara to oust the priests forcefully. He succeeded in his mission after some clashes with the government agents. He appointed a committee of 15 members to look after the Gurdwara management.  He also led jathas to take control of Gurdwara Panja Sahib and a Gurdwara in Peshawar. Since such actions were contrary to law, he was arrested and put in jail for quite for sometime.

Jathedar Teja Singh Akarpuri was appointed Jathedar Akal Takhat in October 1921. These were the turbulent years of Sikh Gurdwara Reform movement. According to Giani Kirpal Singh, Jathedar Akarpuri provided a solid leadership to the panth in this critical period. In 1923, he was arrested when he was leading the very first Jatha in the Jaito Morcha .He was kept behind bars till 1926. Next year in 1927 he got elected as member of SGPC and was also appointed as Jathedar of Akal Takhat for the second time and remained in this position till 1931.

In 1925, Jathedar Didar Singh was the Akal Takhat Jathedar. Akali leaders had come into agreement with the government and the agitation was withdrawn. Sikhs started coming out of jails, but some in Nabha Jail refused to leave the prison and adopted quite an unreasonable attitude. Jathedar Didar Singh went to Nabha and advised them to come out, "since you have come here at the orders of Akal Takhat, I now in the capacity of Akal Takhat Jathedar order you to leave the jails and get out".  This had the desired effect and they agreed to obey his order. Such was the position of the Akal Takhat Jathedar in the Sikh world.

Sikh Rahit Maryada.

Teja Singh Akarpuri, Jathedar Akal Takhat felt and stressed the need of a prescribed Rahit for the Sikhs, though unsuccessful attempts were made earlier by Panch Khalsa Diwan and Chief Khalsa Diwan. It was on his suggestion that a committee of 28 Sikh scholars was appointed to work on the draft of Sikh Rahit Maryada on 15 March 1927. The committee with Prof. Teja Singh as its convener prepared a draft which was thoroughly discussed, amended and changed according to the wishes of the members at various meetings of the committee. All meetings were held at Akal Takhat. In all meetings Jathedar of Akal Takhat was present. Even Jathedars of Kesgarh and Patna were also invited. From 1931 to 1934 Gurmukh Singh Musafir, Jathedar of Akal Takhat, attended the meetings and then from 1935 till the SRM was finally passed in 1945, Mohan Singh Nagoke, Jathedar Akal Takhat, played a very important role. He also served as President of SGPC from 1944 to 1948 which put him in much better position to bring the Sikh scholars to an agreement on SRM.

Jathedar Mohan Singh Nagoke was widely respected for his character, integrity and sacrifices. He served as the Jathedar Akal Takhat for 17 years (1935-52), maximum time any Jathedar held this office. His personality added much power and prestige to this august office. Many historic decisions were taken in his time. In 1936 when Govt. banned the wearing of Kirpan by Sikhs, Jathedar Mohan Singh led the first Jatha of 100 Sikhs in this Morcha against the ban. The ban was withdrawn by the govt.

Ragmala

Should Ragmala be read while reciting the whole of Guru Granth sahib at Akhand Paths? The issue had split the community apart since the beginning of the 20th century. There were well established scholars and religious leaders on both sides. In favor of Ragmala were Bhai Vir Singh, Bhai Jodh Singh, Sant Gurbachan Singh Bhinderanwale, Akali Kaur Singh and some Sants. Those opposing Ragmala were Bhai Kahn Singh Nabha, Bhai Randhir Singh Narangwal, Giani Gurdit Singh, Piara Singh Padam and others.

In 1945 Mohan Singh called a meeting of Sikh religious leaders and scholars at Akal Takhat to resolve the issue. The anti-Ragmala group carried their point with his support. But to keep unity in the panth, Jathedar issued instructions that reading of Ragmala was optional, though he stopped its reading at Akal Takhat. This practice is still in force. Baba Gurbachan Singh Bhinderanwala was staunch supporter of Ragmala. SGPC sent Giani Lal Singh to Bhinderawala to find out if he would abide by the decree of Akal Takhat Jathedar. Baba Gurbachan Singh gave in writing that he would honor the decree of Akal Takhat.

During Mohan Singh's time as Jathedar, Ardas was amended to include that Sikhs should have unhindered access to Nankana Sahib and other holy shrines which were left in Pakistan after partition of Punjab in 1947.

Punishment to Master Tara Singh:

Master Tara Singh was the most powerful and well recognized leader of the Sikhs in mid-twentieth century. He was president of SGPC when Akal Takhat Jathedar Achhar Singh punished him for breaking his fast without fulfilling the terms of the solemn pledge in 1961. So high was the  position of the Jathedar in Sikh world.

Then there is the historic edict of the Akal Takhat Jathedar, Sadhu Singh Bhaura, against the Sant Nirankaris in June 1978. Nirankaris had killed 13 Sikhs on the Baisakhi day of 1978. This edict was widely welcomed by Sikhs all over the world.

Some Jathedars were members or office bears of SGPC and Akali Dal at the same time. They blessed and participated in all agitations that were always launched from Akal Takhat. Sometime they led the Jatha and courted arrests.

1984 developments damaged the institution:

Akal Takhat Jathedars became controversial after the turbulent developments of 1984.

So many Jathedars - Jasbir Singh Rode, Ragi Darshan Singh, acting Jathedar Manjit Singh, Bhai Ranjit Singh, Giani Puran Singh- were appointed and removed before the turn of Jathedar Vedanti came this year. All this has affected the credibility and prestige of the Jathedar. One Jathedar would issue an edict, his successor would cancel that. So many edicts were issued that they lost their sanctity and force. One such edict ex-communicating Joginder Singh, Editor Spokesman, was challenged in high court.

Sikhs need a strong central authority

That, however, does not mean that the institution of Akal Takhat Jathedar is beyond repair and redemption. Sikhs need a strong central authority  to resolve so many contentious issues that keep dogging and dividing the community. There should be a procedure to elect a non-partisan Jathedar of Akal Takhat. He should be a man of high integrity and character, deeply knowledgeable about Sikh religion, history and its traditions and could not be easily removed from his position. He should be able to communicate in English. All India Gurdwara Act as demanded by Akalis should have such provisions.

References
H. S. Dilgeer : Akal Takhat Sahib, 1986
Kirpal Singh (Jathedar): Sri Akal Takhat Sahib ate Jathedar Sahiban. 1999
Harbans Singh: The Heritage of the Sikhs, 1994

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Religion and politics of the Sikhs
Dr. Amrik Singh writes from Sacramento

SIKHS all over the world are trying hard to understand the circumstances that led to the unceremonious expulsion of former Akal Takht Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti. In the absence of any charge sheet, it is hard to ascertain the truth. However, many theories are making rounds. The mere praise of Dr. Manmohan Singh as an honest man couldn’t be the only cause of incurring Punjab Chief Minister’s wrath. Parkash Singh Badal himself had used similar words to appreciate Dr. Manmohan Singh’s integrity, but the reason of not voting for the Nuclear Deal was ascribed to anti-Punjab policies of the Congress. The second theory is that the Congress lobby supporting Gurmeet Ram Rahim demanded expulsion of Jathedar Vedanti. Dera Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh also had asked his followers to demand the arrest of those involved in destroying Premis’ property in Dabwali.

The third theory is that since efforts of Parmjit Singh Sarna and Captain Amrinder Singh succeeded in Libra’s absence from the confidence vote, the wind started blowing in their favor. To exploit favors of the UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi,  Sarna pleaded for a central role to Captain Amrinder Singh in Punjab Congress. To bring Dera Premis and Sikhs back in the Congress fold, the confrontation between them had to end.  The only stumbling block in such a unity was Jathedar Vedanti. To oust him, a plan was developed with the help of Congress bosses and the Union Government resources. Jathedar Vedanti was projected as an ideologue of Khalistan who might use the sovereign seat of the Akal Takht for a separate state. His utterance made during his visit in USA  in favor of  an independent home for Sikhs was cited as a proof of Vedanti’s secession. The danger of using Akal Takht for such a purpose was elevated near India’s Independence Day. The expulsion of Vedanti was the culmination of strategies that Dera Sauda-Sarnas-Spokesman-Amrinder clique had been using at the behest of the Congress to stop Badals and BJP from taking advantage at the hustings. Under such a plan, the unity of Jathedars of Takhts had to be broken on one pretext or the other. Analysts doubt such a plan was in operation right from the beginning of the year 2008.

Two days before 26th January 2008,  such a fear against Vedanti was played  when  French president  Nicolas Sarkozy visited  India. International Sikh Confederation had given a call to protest the ban on turban in France. Jathedar Akal Takht had directed SGPC president to talk with Dr. Manmohan Singh for sorting out the issue with the French President. The Center Government feared Vedanti would issue an edict for raising Turban issue jeopardizing PM’s position. Jathedar Iqbal Singh enjoying complete confidence of stalwarts in Congress was asked to  level serious charges against Vedanti and reject Nanakshahi Calendar,. Patna Jathedar created another controversy by unilaterally excommunicating Prof Darshan Singh on  the issue of Dasam Granth. That came a few days before  Guru Arjan Dev’s Martyrdom Day and 1984 Blue Star Operation Day. The main players of this game Sarnas, Dera Chief, Spokesman Editor Joginder Singh used Central Government for blaming Badal spearheading a separatist campaign from the precincts of Akal Takht. On 30th July 2008, Badal warned the central government for creating circumstances for militancy to come back. He had even asserted that Punjab militancy was different from terrorism. He also rejected BJP’s demand for re-imposing POTA. Both BJP and Congress were upset by Badal’s unconventional remarks.

Manmohan Singh Government  after winning the confidence motion appeared stronger and more damaging for adversaries. Badal had to choose between his expulsion or Vedanti’s, therefore he asked Jathedar Vedanti to leave without any notice.

Jathedar’s ouster came with the installation of Capt Amrinder Singh in an authoritative position.. Badal got panicky and understood the implications of his haphazard action against Vedanti. He immediately tried to control the damage by sending his goodwill ambassadors to placate infuriated Jathedar. But it was too late. The chess-like complexity of each move had outwitted Badal leaving him desperate for his future. Making Badal fire Vedanti was like a bombshell that created favorable circumstances for Captain Amrinder Singh’s comeback. The meeting with Calcutta was to use Vedanti for anti-Badal propaganda. There was a festive occasion in the Congress for killing two words with one stone.

The fourth theory is that Dera Sauda issue was uniting Sikhs on the issue of his arrest.  Congress lobby owing allegiance to Dera Sauda would do anything to protect him from arrest.  Therefore, it succeeded in getting Vedanti fired.  Now, the path has been cleared for apology of Gurmeet Ram Rahim and also the Editor of Spokesman.

Whatever might have led to the ouster of Joginder Singh Vedanti, one thing is clear that it happened because of the haphazard working style of demagogues in the state and the centre government. If SGPC had decided on reasonable procedure and due process for the appointment and expulsion of the Sikh clergy, the bully would not have freedom to destroy the institution of Akal Takht.

The newly installed Jathedar declared that the confrontation between Sikhs and Premis was unfortunate. Vedanti’s ouster is interpreted as a welcome step to end bitter relations.

The bringing chief of Dera Sauda to the Akal Takht unconditionally and forgiving him may not solve all problems if the irritants between Sikhs and Premis are not removed.

Non-political Sikh scholars opine that forgiveness is an integral part of Sikh religion. If the guilty presents himself before the Akal Takht and is ready to accept Punishment, such a Sikh should be accepted in the community. Some politically motivated scholars reject forgiveness altogether whereas others support forgiveness unconditionally.

Non-political scholars emphasize that to end the confrontation permanently two options before Gurmeet Ram Rahim should be put. If he wants to run his affairs as a head of his sect, he should be allowed  freedom if he agrees not to make use of Sikh symbolism such as the name of his sect as “Dera Sachha Sauda”, preaching selective Gurbani and its misinterpretation, and copying of traditions of Sikhism. Second option,  if he doesn’t want to make any amends but is genuinely repentant, he should accept Guru Gobind Singh’s command to believe in Guru Granth Sahib as the only Satguru of Sikhs.  If Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh accepts the second options, Sikhs should end their confrontation with him without any precondition.

The indications are that Dera Chief doesn’t want to accede to any of these conditions. His appearance at Akal Takht is totally a political strategy to confound Sikhs. The attempt to use Akal Takht through Badal’s new appointee may backfire if Dera Chief continues to do what most irked Sikhs, his attack on the institution of Sikh religion.

Dera Sauda wants to become invincible by showing that he still can call the shots in spite of criminal charges dangling on his head. He influenced not only the internal politics of Sikhs, but also paved the way for resurgence of the Punjab Congress party.

The new Jathedar’s task has become more complex as it is feared that he’ll be used like a pawn between the political game of Parkash Singh Badal and Captain Amrinder Singh. BJP and Akalis are the parties known to use religion for politics, but the Congress while maintaining its secular image, uses religion more intelligently to make the best of the political gain. The post-confidence vote in the Lok Sabha required that Congress would address Sikhs in a big way. The Guru Gaddi Divas at Nander Sahib should in no way give all the political windfall to BJP and Akalis. When Capt. Amrinder and Sarnas are around, Badal will have to struggle for sustaining his pro-Sikh image.

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