Amritsar : The five Sikh high priests on Friday declared Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from Payal constituency in Ludhiana district, Manwinder Singh Giaspura , a tankhaiya (guilty of religious misconduct) over his alleged derogatory remarks against Sikh institutions and allegations of caste-based discrimination at the Golden Temple .




The decision was taken at a meeting of the five Sikh high priests at the Akal Takht Secretariat. The high priests said Giaspura had made false allegations of caste discrimination against sewadars at Darbar Sahib and used objectionable language against the Akal Takht and other Sikh institutions, hurting the sentiments of the Sikh community.




The meeting was attended by Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, officiating Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib and Jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib; Giani Parvinderpal Singh, granthi of Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib; Giani Tek Singh, Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib; Giani Gurbakhshish Singh, granthi of Akal Takht Sahib; and Bhai Paramjit Singh, one of the Panj Pyare of Akal Takht Sahib.




Announcing the decision from the rostrum of the Akal Takht, Giani Gargajj said AAP MLAs and leaders who had appeared before the Akal Takht Secretariat on October 12 were informed that Giaspura had been barred from entering the premises on the Jathedar’s directions because of his earlier remarks against Sikh institutions.




He further said that the AAP legislators who appeared before the high priests on Friday admitted that Giaspura had raised the issue of caste despite no such incident having occurred. They also clarified that nobody had been denied entry to Akal Takht Sahib on the basis of caste, race or colour, and distanced themselves from Giaspura’s remarks, describing them as his personal views.




The high priests said Giaspura’s statements were contrary to Sikh principles, which reject caste-based discrimination. They cited the Sikh tenet that recognises the divine light in all human beings, irrespective of caste.




In a separate decision, the high priests also prohibited self-styled preacher Jivan Singh Bagichi Wale from conducting religious discourses and kirtan, citing remarks allegedly contrary to Gurbani, Sikh traditions, Sikh history and the Sikh code of conduct.