American Sikh Thaminder Singh Anand, who is facing Gurbani distortion allegation, has appealed to Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh to follow the example of Sikh misls (confederates) while taking decision in a meeting convened on May 3.
The Akal Takht is likely to pronounce its verdict on a US Sikh publisher for allegedly uploading a distorted version of gurbani online during a panthic gathering on May 3, following strong criticism and increasing demand from Sikh bodies for serious action against the “blasphemous” act.
Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, during the concluding function of 400th birth anniversary of Guru Teg Bahadur in Golden Temple complex on April 21, said that concrete action will be taken in the matter during the panthic gathering next month.
The Akal Takht is likely to pronounce its verdict on a US Sikh publisher for allegedly uploading a distorted version of gurbani online during a panthic gathering on May 3, following strong criticism and increasing demand from Sikh bodies for serious action against the “blasphemous” act.
He said that since the accused had not submitted any clarification to the highest Sikh temporal seat and the act is a serious cause of concern for the community, all Sikh bodies, sects, intellectuals and activists have been invited to the panthic gathering to discuss the matter and take action accordingly.
After Akal Takht called a meeting of Sikh intellectuals and religious personalities on May 3 to deliberate on the alleged distortion of Gurbani by US-based Thaminder Singh Anand, he urged the officiating Jathedar, Giani Harpreet Singh, on Tuesday to correct the printing mistakes in the Saroop of Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
“Sikh misls did not get along well with each other, but in Gurmata they were all one. With this unity, they were able to lay the foundation of the Sikh empire. Sir, you are at an important juncture where all are looking towards you for guidance. Please do what Sikh misls had done in the time of crisis. From that unity rose the Sikh empire. Sir, this unity will be a stepping stone for the global Sikh empire,” Thaminder wrote to the Jathedar.
The club is accused of using extra lagan-matravan (punctuations of Gurmukhi) and bindis (dots) by changing the original verses of Gurbani which according to the Akal Takht jathedar and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) is ‘distortion’ and a violation of Sikh Rehat Maryada (Sikh code of religious conduct).
Giving a call for unity in the Panth, Thaminder Singh of US based SikhBookClub.com has also urged the officiating jathedar of Akal Takht to play a pivotal role in identifying the elements who cause internal conflicts. “The time is for the unity of the Sikhs worldwide. We as Sikhs cannot survive infighting. Our approach has to be solution-oriented. As a Jathedar of the important institution, you should be building consensus,” appealed Thaminder in a release issued here on Tuesday.