In a significant development concerning Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's scheduled appearance before the Akal Takht, former Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh has strongly endorsed the CM's own suggestion for a live telecast of the event. Singh further demanded that the proceedings be held openly in the presence of media, emphasizing transparency.
Call for Transparency and Media Presence
Speaking on Friday, Bhai Ranjit Singh argued that there should be no objection to broadcasting the chief minister's visit live if the officiating authorities have nothing to conceal. He cited his own tenure, noting that several important peshis (appearances) were conducted with media access. "If the officiating jathedar of the Akal Takht has nothing to hide, then what is the harm in live-telecasting the chief minister's appearance?" he questioned.
He stressed that such openness strengthens public faith in religious institutions. To bolster his argument, Singh pointed out that even court hearings are now routinely live-streamed, setting a precedent for transparency in important proceedings.
Questioning the Basis of the Summons
The former Jathedar also reacted to the core issue leading to the summons. The officiating Jathedar, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj, has called CM Mann to appear at the Akal Takht secretariat on January 15. The summons cites the CM's alleged "anti-Sikh remarks," "objectionable conduct," and a video that reportedly hurt Sikh sentiments, labeling Mann a patit (apostate).
Ranjit Singh challenged this classification and the procedural logic. He clarified that except for the faseel (rostrum), a non-baptised person is permitted to enter any part of the Akal Takht complex. He pointedly asked on what grounds a person declared a patit was being summoned. "Isn't it surprising that a patit is summoned to the Akal Takht secretariat, yet the decision regarding his case will be taken at the Akal Takht and announced from the faseel," he remarked, highlighting a perceived contradiction.
Doctrinal Concerns and Calls for Caution
Echoing the need for doctrinal precision, Manjit Singh Bhoma, chairman of the religious propagation committee of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, has advised caution. In a suggestion to the officiating Jathedar, Bhoma recommended convening a meeting of panthic scholars to seek a collective opinion before proceeding with the summons against the Chief Minister.
Bhoma contested the patit label, arguing that Mann, being non-baptised, cannot be declared a patit. He explained that only a baptised Sikh who commits one of the four cardinal transgressions (kurahats) can fall into that category. "This is necessary so that no new controversy arises within the panth and no doctrinal mistake is made," he added, urging the authorities to avoid a potential misstep.
The debate sets the stage for a high-stakes interaction on January 15, centering on issues of religious protocol, transparency, and the interpretation of Sikh tenets for public figures.
