A heady mixture of religion and politics at installation

The ingredients were all there – the members of the SGPC, the Jathedars, religious leaders, truckloads of people, and the Akali politicians, not to mention the boycott by a significant section of Sikh religious and political leaders. The assemblage at the Akal Takht at Amritsar, the highest temporal and spiritual authority of the Sikhs located right opposite the Golden Temple had a feeling that they were a part of history.

The day began with dhadi jathas (traditional balladeers) singing paeans in praise of the martyrs, with hordes of people listening to them in rapt attention. Following which, the announcement of the appointment of a new acting Jathedar, Bhai Puran Singh was made in a manner similar to reading aloud a royal proclamation. The sacrifices made by Bhai Puran Singh, his arrests during Operation Bluestar and Operation Black Thunder and his association with various Sikh bodies was proclaimed.

Significantly, the Head Priest of the Golden Temple, Bhai Mohan Singh, was not there to present siropa (robe of honour). Ever since the installation of the sixth Sikh Guru at the Akal Takht in seventeenth century by the then Head Priest of Golden Temple, Bhai Buddaji, this has been a part of Sikh tradition. The Sant Samaj headed by Baba Sarobjot Singh Bedi was also conspicuous by its absence, and so was the Damdami Taksal, the Sikh seminary once headed by Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.

The presentation of siropas, however, continued, with priests from the Golden Temple, Jathedars of other Takhts, representatives of the SGPC, Shiromani Akali Dal and religious bodies. This was followed by the customary waving to the audience from the Akal Takht by the newly installed acting Jathedar.

The crowd, however, was oblivious to many aspects of tradition. The clapping, for instance on the occasion of presentation of siropa by Sant Kashmira Singh immediately drew rebuke from the organisers. The gaiety displayed by some of his enthusiast followers was infectious, and as the ladies among the audience stated, they were here in full strength following the desires of their leader. So were the truckloads from Zira. Some however paused to inquire as to who the new Jathedar was even after having sat through for nearly four hours. They also wanted to know whether the Chief Minister and SGPC president were present on the occasion. They were not, but these devotees thought they may have missed them among the thousands which gathered for the installation ceremony.