CHANDIGARH, JAN 17: As many as 131 members of the 180 elected members of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) today appealed to Akal Takht Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh to withdraw his hukamnama (edict) directing the factions led by Punjab Chief Minister P S Badal and SGPC chief P S Tohra to cease hostilities till April 15.The members, who have launched a signature campaign for the review of the hukamnama issued on December 31 last year, said in the appeal that the edict should be withdrawn in the interest of the Sikh Panth and Punjab at large, SGPC general secretary Balbir Singh Pannu told newsmen here. Asked if any action would be taken against the Jathedar if he did not withdraw the hukamnama, he said ``I am not competent enough to comment on this. However, the SGPC is empowered to consider the hukamnama as it comes under the purview of 1925 Sikh Gurdwara Act and Akal Takht is also recognised by the Act.'' He claimed that the SGPC had invoked this Act to dismiss Jathedars earlieralso.Pannu denied that the appeal to withdraw the hukamnama was violative of the Sikh maryada, saying ``earlier also hukamnamas have been withdrawn.''He said the members have sought withdrawal of the hukamnama ``as it does not send proper signals and while issuing the edict other Jathedars were not consulted.''He also endorsed a similar appeal made by 10 of the 15 executive SGPC members to Bhai Ranjit Singh on January 6.He said the withdrawal of the hukamnama would help control the mischievous elements trying to divide the Sikh Panth in run up to the tercentenary celebrations of the Khalsa. Pannu demanded dismissal of SGPC senior secretary Manjit Singh Calcutta for allegedly casting aspersions on Damdama Sahib chief Kewal Singh and said it amounted to violation of Sikh maryada.
