New jathedar revokes directives passed by Giani Puran Singh

"The charges framed against all those excommunicated were baseless and that is why the directives have been revoked," an SGPC statement said, adding the `hukumnamas’ (edicts) by Giani Puran Singh were a "product of his narrow-mindedness".

Singh’s anti-panthic and anti-maryada decisions were a result of "vested interests".

Meanwhile, the ongoing controversy in the Akal Takht rocked the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Thursday with seven ruling Akali Dal dissident legislators and the lone Akali Dal (Amritsar) member storming out of the House over the issue.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour, rebel Akali legislator Manjit Singh Calcutta accused the Badal government of "misusing government machinery" in denigrating the top temporal seat of the Sikhs.

"Government’s interference in the religious affairs of the Sikhs is injurious for the community as it is likely to disturb peace and harmony in the state," Calcutta said.

Calcutta was supported by other rebel Akali legislators Inderjit Singh Zira, Harmel Tohra, Jagtar Singh Rajla, Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, Daljit Kaur and Prem Singh Lalpura and lone SAD (Amritsar) member Ajit Inder Singh Mofar. Zira and Tohra also raised slogans in the House which were expunged by Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal.

Calcutta said the state government should not have withdrawn the security provided to former Akal Takht jathedar Puran Singh.

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal intervened and assured the House that adequate security would be provided to Puran Singh. He blamed the dissidents for raising the issue to get public attention.

Despite an assurance by the Chief Minister that adequate security will be provided to Puran Singh and that directions to this effect will be issued to Amritsar district police chief, the rebel Akali legislators along with the SAD (Amritsar) member trooped out of the House.