Takht bars Chadha from addressing religious, political events for 2 years
Unlike Langah, who was excommunicated over similar offence, Takht doesn’t pronounce strict punishment on exCKD head; Gurdwara Chhota Ghallughara exhead Johar Singh declared ‘tankhaiya’ in another case
AMRITSAR: The Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs, on Tuesday prohibited Chief Khalsa Diwan former president Charanjit Singh Chadha from addressing religious, social, political and educational functions for two years. Chadha, who was removed as the chief of the 115-year-old organisation after his purported objectionable video with a female principal went viral on social media, appeared before the five Sikh clergy headed by Akal Takht jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh.
AMRITSAR : The Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs, on Tuesday prohibited Chief Khalsa Diwan (CKD) former president C ha ranj it Singh Chadha from addressing religious, social, political and educational functions for two years.
Chadha, who was removed as the chief of the 115-year-old socioreligious organisation after his purported objectionable video with a female principal went viral onsocial media, appeared before the five Sikh clergy headed by Akal Takht jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh. He was accompanied by his wife Harbans Kaur, other family members and few office-bearers of the CKD.
With clarification over his alleged immoral act as per Sikh “maryada” (Sikh code of ethics), which does not allow any Sikh to indulge in illicit relationship, Chadha’s appearance lasted for around 45 minutes inside the secretariat of the Takht. However, the Sikh clergy took four hours in deciding Chadha’s fate.
Besides the Akal Takht jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, jathedars of Takht Patna Sahib Giani Iqbal Singh, Takht Damdama Sahib Giani Harpreet Singh, Takht Kesgarh Sahib Giani Raghbir Singh and Akal Takh the ad grant hi G ia ni Mal kit Singh were present in the meeting.
Unlike case of former Akali minister Sucha Singh Langah, who faced similar charges and was excommunicated from the Panth, the Sikh clergy went soft on Chadha arguing that his (Chadha) offence is lighter. “Chadha only molested the woman, so he has not been punished like him (Langah),” said Giani Gurb ac han Singh. Besides, the ban imposed on him was not announced before the “sangat” (devotees) from the Takht, but was told to the media inside the meeting room of the Tak ht secretariat.
This happened despite the Shir omani Gurdwara Par band ha k Committee (SG PC ), during its executive meet, passed are solution to seek strict action against Chad ha and many Sikh organisations as well as members of the CKD demanded strict punishment for him.
Apart from the ban, the Sikh clergy resolved to oversee Chadha activities in two years. “After two years, Chadha would send a written request to the Ak al Takht for religious atonement,” said the Akal Takht jathedar.
Chad ha and his son Ind erp re et Singh, who was vice-president of the CK D, were booked for sexual harassment and criminal intimidation on the complaint of the female principal on December 28 last year. Inderpreet committed suicide on January 3.
On January 4, additional session judge, Amritsar, Amarjit Singh granted interim bail to Chadha till January 10. His bail was extended by another day as police didn’t present adequate record regarding the case.
On January 11, the court again extended Chadha’s interim bail and asked him to join investigation within 10 days. The probe is being conducted by a special investigation team led by IG (crime) LK Yadav.
PUNISHMENT FOR JOHAR SINGH
Once a supporter of parallel jathedars appointed during the radical ‘Sarbat Khalsa’ held in 2015 in Amritsar, Gurdwara Chhota Ghallughara, Kahnuwan Chhamb (Gurdaspur) former chief Johar Singh also appeared before the Sikh clergy in case of an immoral act by his fellow office-bearer, Buta Singh, of the gurdwara management.
While Buta has already been ex communicated by Ak al Tak ht, Johar Singh was declared ‘tankhaiya ’( guilty of religious misconduct) on Tuesday by the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs. The ja theda rs awarded him‘ tank h ah’ (religious punishment) from Tak ht under which he was asked to clean utensils in langar, dust devotees’ shoes and listen to gurbani kirtan for a week at the Golden Temple, besides apologi sing for the offence at the Takht.