‘I neither have courage nor stature’: Mann appears before Akal Takht, clarifies remarks

Jathedar Gargajj, who held a press conference after the meeting, said, “The CM came here and gave his clarification. He also gave clarification regarding the donation box, which we have kept on record. In the coming days, there will be a meeting of the Five Sikh Jathedars, and this matter will be discussed there.”

He spent about 45 minutes inside the Akal Takht Secretariat. (Express Photo)

He had summoned Mann for allegedly making comments on ‘Guru ki Golak’ (a gurdwara donation box) and “objectionable conduct” with the pictures of Sikh gurus and slain militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.

Arriving for the hearing around 11.30 am, Thursday, a barefoot Mann offered prayers at the Golden Temple and then proceeded to the Akal Takht Secretariat, carrying two black bags. He spent about 45 minutes inside the Akal Takht Secretariat. Gargaj arrived shortly after.

Mann, who carried a suitcase containing some documents which he submitted at the venue, said, “As per the orders of the Jathedar, I appeared here as a humble Sikh and submitted my explanation in response to the queries. Akal Takht is the supreme authority for the entire Sikh community, and it is supreme for me as well. The Jathedar recorded my statement, and further action would be taken after consultations with the ‘Singh Sahibans’ (Sikh clergy). I will abide by every decision of the Jathedar. My appearance here has given me immense contentment, inner peace and satisfaction.”

While media access was barred during the proceedings, a photo released by the Akal Takht showed Jathedar Gargajj and Jathedar Giani Tek Singh of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib presenting Mann with a copy of the monthly Gurdwara Gazette and Sikh Code of Conduct.

Jathedar Gargajj said that the CM holds a constitutional position as the head of state, for which he took an oath to remain secular. “The CM is the representative of every religion present in the state, and the remarks made by him in the past regarding Sikh traditions, principles of dasvandh (volunteer contribution), Guru’s Golak, code of conduct, principles, and internal matters are not appropriate, as they hurt the sentiments of the Sikhs. He has been warned to not make such statements henceforth.”

Citing some “objectionable videos” circulating on social media, Gargajj claimed that Mann’s actions towards the images of the Sikh Gurus and Bhindranwale were disrespectful. However, Mann, submitted that the videos were fake.

Gargajj added that the CM has expressed agreement for a forensic investigation of the objectionable video. “Along with labs suggested by the government, Akal Takht will also get the video investigated on its own. Whatever report comes forward will be placed before the Khalsa Panth, and the next decision will be taken accordingly.”

The jathedar said, “Mann admitted that he should not have spoken like that on several issues. The jathedar said that the conversation took place in a very good atmosphere. The CM said that he does not know about Sikh maryada (code of conduct) and principles, and henceforth he will not speak on these matters.”

The CM said that as an advocate of the sentiments of millions of people, he had submitted 25,000 to 30,000 pages of complaints, to the Jathedar Sahib. “These complaints reflect the emotions of people who have flagged various anomalies in the functioning of the SGPC. I have humbly requested the Jathedar Sahib to get these complaints investigated, as the feelings of millions are attached to them. Institutions are always supreme while individuals heading them can err, Such individuals deserve no leniency for their misdeeds,” he added.

He added, “Every order of Akal Takht Sahib is acceptable to me. It is the highest temporal body of the Sikhs, and my family and I abide by it fully,” he said, expressing gratitude to the Jathedar Sahib for presenting him with two important books related to the Sikh Rehat Maryada and the monthly Gurdwara Gazette.

On the constitution of the SIT, Mann clarified that it was not a political move. “The SIT has been constituted solely to trace the missing saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji. Its mandate is strictly confined to tracing them so that they are not misused,” he said. He added that he had also sought the intervention of the Jathedar Sahib to direct the SGPC to provide the unique codes assigned to each saroop published by it, to facilitate tracing of the missing saroops.

“The police have already been instructed not to enter the premises of religious places where the saroops are traced,” he said, adding that the Jathedar had informed him that prior to 1998, the printing of Sri Guru Granth Sahib had been carried out at several places.