Jathedar Joginder Singh who will continue as acting Jathedar of the Shiromani Panth Akali Budha Dal (Panjwan Takht) at Kotkapura, Faridkot district.

Jathedar Surjit Singh was elected the 14th Jathedar of the Shiromani Panth Akali Budha Dal (Panjwan Takht) with a voice vote in his absence during the antim ardas and bhog of late Baba Santa Singh held at Gurdwara Dasmi Patshahi here today.

However, in his absence, Jathedar Joginder Singh “Rakba” will continue as the acting Jathedar of the body. His dastarbandi ceremony was held on the occasion.

Jathedar Surjit Singh, who is facing cases of murder, has gone underground. He was allegedly involved in the massacre of four members of Baba Balbir Singh’s family. Balbir heads the rival group of Nihangs.

Since a heavy police force was deployed here, Jathedar Surjit Singh could not enter the town fearing arrest. No vehicle was allowed to pass through the road leading to the gurdwara. Nihangs were frisked to prevent entry of firearms into the gurdwara.

Talking to The Tribune soon after the “dastarbandi” ceremony, Jathedar Joginder Singh appealed to all groups of Nihangs to unite together and protect the religion that, according to him, was in danger due to the entry of certain “bad elements” in the Panth. He lashed out at the state government alleging that it was trying to divide their community for vested interests.

A resolution was passed by various groups of the Sant Samaj, demanding from the state government withdrawal of all cases registered against Jathedar Surjit Singh. They claimed that the police had registered false cases against him.

The religious heads of Nirmal Akhara Hardwar, Nanaksar Kaleran, Mastuana, Rarha Sahib, Guru Nanak Dal, Tarna Dal, Baba Bidhi Chand Dal, Damdami Taksal and at least 30 other deras were present on the occasion. Few members of the SGPC, local leaders of the SAD and members of Baba Santa Singh’s family, including nephew Surinder Singh Babbar also attended the bhog.

Meanwhile, most of the Nihangs here were of the view that the Nihangs in the days to come may come out aggressively to free their deras that were under the control of the group led by Baba Balbir Singh.

Editors Note: Main photo Courtesy of Rozana Spokesman online.

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gurpyar singh khalsa said:

waheguru ji ka khalsa waheguru ji ki fateh baba surjit singh ji is the real jathedar of shromani akali budha dal not balbir singh........

August 11, 2008

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