Badal has his way, new jathedar a heart attack

AMRITSAR, FEB 15: Amidst high drama, Golden Temple granthi Giani Puran Singh was today installed acting jathedar of Akal Takht in place o...

AMRITSAR, FEB 15: Amidst high drama, Golden Temple granthi Giani Puran Singh was today installed acting jathedar of Akal Takht in place of Ranjit Singh and was immediately rushed to the intensive care unit of a hospital following a severe heart attack even as the "suspended" jathedar remained defiant on not quitting the post.

Doctors attending on Puran Singh at Guru Ram Dass hospital said his condition was "serious but stable". Earlier, a spokesman of the hospital had said that nothing was wrong with him except that he was feeling exhausted.

In a break from traditions, Golden Temple head granthi Gianai Mohan Singh along with representatives of certain important Sikh organisations was conspicuous by absence from the coronation ceremony for Puran Singh as the acting jathedar.

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While pro-Badal leaders alleged that jathedar Mohan Singh had been kidnapped by supporters of Ranjit Singh, the latter said he was not aware of the head granthi’s whereabouts.

Ranjit Singh had yesterday announced announced that he would accept his replacement if Giani Mohan Singh lent his seal of approval on the change over by presenting a siropa (robe of honour) to Puran Singh.

He was suspended on February ten by majority SGPC executive members owing allegiance to Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, a decision questioned by SGPC Chief G S tohra.

Disapproving of the removal of Ranjit Singh, Tohra said "till now nobody had ever suspended or removed Akal Takht head priest or called for his explanation".

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Minutes after the ceremony, the suspended jathedar said he would not step down from the office, hold a parallel tercentenary celebration of Khalsa Panth and then convene a Sarbat Khalsa (congregation of Sikh bodies to discuss the situation.

Giani Mohan Singh’s absence, however, was compensated by presence of Akal Takht head granthi Gyiani Bhagwan Singh, who was among the galaxy of religious leaders presenting siropas to Giani Puran Singh.

Soon after the ceremony, Puran Singh was admitted to hospital and kept in intensive care unit. After some time he was sent home but brought back immediately and doctors said he would be kept under observation for 72 hours.

Akali Dal general secretary Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa alleged that the head priest Bahi Mohan Singh had most probably been kidnapped by supporters of Ranjit Singh.

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Dhindsa also announced that now they would bring a no-confidence resolution against SGPC chief Tohra, who had ordered the closure of SGPC offices for yesterday and today. Contempt proceedings would also be launched before Gurdwara Judicial Commission against Tohra and his associates, he added.

A pro-Tohra leader, Sarup Singh Dhesi, in a petition filed before the Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission sought disqualification of 10 pro-Badal executive committee members who had suspended Ranjit Singh and appointed Giani Puran Singh as acting jathedar after the initial choice Giani Mohan Singh declined to accept the post.