Vedanti under fire for ‘forgiveness’ Edict

Amritsar Sahib (KP) – Panthic Organizations worldwide reacted sharply to Joginder Singh Vedanti’s announcement for an ‘unconditional clemency’ towards all anti-Panthic individuals who have been excommunicated from the Panth, and at the same time flayed the surreptitious rendezvous between him and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). They blamed the RSS for directing the unsavory event.

Joginder Singh Vedanti, the Badal appointed priest, had announced that any person who has been excommunicated from the Panth for any reason was once again encouraged to come under the oath of ‘Granth’ and ‘Panth’ without having to go through any religious fines or punishments by January 13, 2007.

Vedanti declared that if the Nirankaris, who were excommunicated after the clash of 1978 are willing to accept the authority of Akal Takhat and Guru Granth Sahib, would be reinitiated into the Sikh fold.

According to Vedanti, along with the Nirankaris, other groups such as the Meenay, Ramraieay, Dhirmalleeay, Masands, and Gangushaheeays who have been excommunicated from the Panth for centuries would also be welcome. Sikhs have always been forbidden to keep “roti-beti dee sanjh” (marital and social relations) with the above groups.

Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh, in a press conference, criticized this unprecedented action of Vendanti and announced that it is unacceptable to the Sikh Panth. He also commented that actions would be taken to free the Akal Takht Sahib from clutches of Badal and the RSS, requiring any sacrifice if necessary.

Meanwhile, Bhai Amardeep Singh ‘Amar’ and Bhai Ratinder Singh of the GURSIKH, Shahbaaz Khalsa Panthic organization compared Vendati to the pro-British Sarbrah Aroor Singh who had honored General Dyer after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Aroor Singh was later removed from Akal Takht Sahib after public outrage.

Speaking to Panthic Weekly, Bhai Ratinder Singh stated that Vedanti and his associates are performing treachery with the blood of the 13 Shaheeds of 1978 Vaisakhi Massacre by inviting the murderous Nirankaris into the Panthic fold. “Why don’t the Jathedars just blacken their faces and leave the Sikh Takhts rather than tapping to the orders of the Badal and the RSS ?”, he quipped.

Meanwhile, details of secret forays between Vedanti and the RSS are beginning to circulate in the Punjabi press. Dal Khalsa leaders clearly laid the blame on Parkash Badal for arranging these meetings.

Representatives of the Khalsa Alliance called upon Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh to reignite the issue for assembling a ‘Sarbat Khalsa’, to liberate Sri Akal Takht Sahib and punish those misusing the Sikh institutions for personal and political gain.

The representatives also stated that it was Badal and the BJP’s intention to persuade Vendati to lift the ban on the Rahstriya Sikh Sangat. The open “clemency” does just that plus much more.

“The floodgates have been opened by the RSS and Badal. Not only have they undermined the independent authority of Akal Takht Sahib, but Panthic norms are being challenged by those who want to dilute the Sikh identity by mixing it with anti-Panthic elements such as the Narakdharees (pseudo-Nirankaris), Bhaniarawales, Dhirmalees, and the Kala-Afghanis”, they stated.

“The Panth will never yield to such deceitful tactics. We have not forgotten the blood spilled by our Shaheeds while their sacrifices cannot be bought and sold for RSS and Narakdhari votes.”

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