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War between SGPC and Akal Takht chiefs intensifies

Joginder Singh Bidyanthi, granthi (priest) of the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple), was today appointed acting jathedar of the Akal Takht in place of Giani Puran Singh, who was earlier suspended by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee executive.

The decision to appoint Joginder Singh acting head was taken at a meeting in Amritsar chaired by SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur and attended by eight of the 15 executive members.

Puran Singh reacted immediately, excommunicating five of the executive members for participating in the meeting. The five are Jagir Kaur, Raghujit Virk, Satnam Singh, Pritam Singh and Gurpal Gora.

Among those who abstained from the meeting were senior SGPC vice-president Balbir Singh Pannu, junior vice-president Kewal Singh Badal and general secretary Hardial Bir Singh Shah.

They said they abstained because Jagir Kaur had been excommunicated and, according to the Sikh Panth, "one cannot share a platform with an excommunicated person".

Pannu said, "We respect Jathedar Giani Puran Singh's verdict. We have full respect for the Akal Takht."

But in swift follow-up move, the Punjab government withdrew the security cover provided to Puran Singh. The district administration said the security cover had been provided to Puran Singh as head of the Akal Takht, but as he had been dismissed it was withdrawn.

Puran Singh's official car, provided by the SGPC, was also withdrawn.

UNI

EARLIER REPORT:
Jagir Kaur's aide gets five-day religious punishment

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