Phoolka objects to term ‘Sikh Cult’ in Ayodhya addendum
WRITES TO AKAL TAKHT SEEKING DIRECTION TO SGPC TO TAKE LEGAL MEASURES TO ENSURE REMOVAL OF THE TERM
AMRITSAR: Lawyer and former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader HS Phoolka on Thursday objected to the term “Sikh cult” used in the addendum of the Supreme Court’s judgment ordering the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
He wrote a letter to Akal Takht, highest temporal seat of the Sikhs, urging it to direct the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to take legal measures to ensure removal of the word “cult” which is not fit for the Sikh religion.
“Here is there is a sense of annoyance amongst many Sikh groups and sangat over this act (sic),” he said in the letter addressed to Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh.
The letter reads, “In the judgment passed by the Constitution Bench there is absolutely no reference to the objectionable term ‘Sikh Cult’. This Addendum is of 116 pages and is not signed by any of the Judges who were members of the Constitution Bench. It is to be noted that this Addendum is not the judgment of the Constitution Bench, but yet, attaching it with the Supreme
Court Judgment, accords it importance and it can be relied upon and quoted by historians and media and even by the Courts”.
“The term Sikh cult has appeared in this addendum while quoting the extracts from the examination-in-chief of Mr. Rajinder Singh, who had appeared as a witness in the suit. His statement was recorded by the Trial court more than 25 years ago”, it reads further.
In the main judgement of the Constitution Bench in Para 154 and 155, the Supreme Court has clearly held that ‘the tenets of Sikhism are opposed to Idol worship’
“It appears that the term may have been used unintentionally, without proper application of mind, and only repeating what the witness Rajinder Singh has said in his evidence”, Phooka writes, adding, “Be that as it may be, it is important to get this term expunged even from the Addendum of the Judgment. I am of the view that it would be appropriate for the SGPC to file an application before the Hon’ble Supreme Court to expunge these remarks (sic).”
The former AAP leader requested acting jathedar to form a team of the top most lawyers of the country to examine the matter in detail.
“I have been approached by many Sikh Groups who want to file an application in the Supreme Court. I am of the considered view that all Sikh Groups be requested not to rush to the Supreme Court with a halfbaked strategy. If the Supreme Court declines to entertain the Application of any group, it will then be difficult for the SGPC to satisfy the Supreme Court on the maintainability of their Application”, he added.