To expose the misdeeds of present incumbent of the SGPC and his political mentor Parkash Singh Badal, the Gurdwara Sudhar Lehar-2 (GSL-2) will release the “white paper on SGPC mismanagement and malfeasance” at Akal Takht on Nov 25 coinciding with the day of election of president of the SGPC to be held at Teja Singh Samundari hall.

The decision to this effect has been taken at a meeting of constituents of Gurdwara Sudhar Lehar II Prabandhak Committee that includes SAD (Amritsar), Dal Khalsa, Khalsa Panchayat, SAD (Delhi), Damdami Taksal and others.

The office bearers of the GSL-2 Manjit Singh Calcutta, Daljit Singh and Kanwarpal Singh said a large number of activists would hold a march from Gurdwara Akali Phoola Singh to Akal Takht Sahib in the morning of Nov 25 where the ardas would be performed. They further added that the march would be led by members of the SGPC comprising all constituents of the GSL (2).

Elaborating their plans, the leaders said this march was a democratic response to the hooliganism let loose by Badal Dal at Kathunangal and the attack on Sikh youths by armed bodyguards of the Jathedar Akal Takht at Faridabad.

Expressing resentment over the failures of SGPC president and Jathedar Akal Takht in addressing the contentious issues of the Sikh Panth, they said the white paper would focus on various issues not being resolved by the SGPC and the Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib. “We would point out serious lacunae in the working of the SGPC. This document would highlight the partisan role of the Jathedar Akal Takht as well, said they.

The leaders were of the opinion that though the Sikh Gurdwara Act 1925 was silent on the issue of impeachment of the Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib or any other Jathedar, certain postulates based on the fundamental tenets of Sikhism are quiet clear.

They said Sikhism was not a theocratic religion and that Jathedars were sewadars (servants) of the Sikh Panth and not the masters. They further pointed out that though the Jathedars were nominated by the SGPC, they were answerable and accountable to the Sikh Sangat for their words and deeds.

Taking exception on the functioning and role of the present Jathedars’ they said they (Jathedar’s) have to act within the framework of Sikh tradition, Sikh tenets and democratic norms.

They felt that as this was not been happening since the last few years, there was increasing restlessness amongst the Sikh Sangat. Never before has the Sikhs themselves questioned the authority of the Akal Takht Jathedar and that of the institution itself. Since the launching of GSL (2) we have presented the list of 60 main issues confronting the Sikh people and their religious and political issues before the Jathedar with no response from him.

In view of the totality of the situation, the GSL has decided to constitute a committee of religious and political experts which would examine the entire gamut of issues relating to the impeachment of the Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib. This Committee would examine the parameters of impeachment, the procedures that may be followed and the codification of all aspects relating to the appointment, qualification, powers and removal of the Jathedars. The members of the Committee will be announced on Nov 25 and it would be mandated to submit its findings by the Baisakhi of 2007.