Santa Singh back in Sikh fold

By Sarabjit Pandher

TALWANDI SABO, (Bathinda), MARCH 25. Amid major festivities, the controversial octogenarian chieftain of the Budha Dal sect of the Nihang Sikhs, Baba Santa Singh, was today re-admitted into the mainstream of the community, after he completed tankhah (religious punishment) decreed by the Akal Takht, the supreme religious and temporal seat of the community. The heads of more than two dozen other sects were present on the occasion.

Baba Santa had been excommunicated in 1984, along with the then Union Home Minister, Mr. Buta Singh, for conducting the kar sewa to reconstruct the building of the Akal Takht, which had been damaged during Operation Bluestar when the Army stormed the Golden Temple complex, to flush out terrorists holed up in the shrine.

The Nihangs, who claim to be the descendants of the ``real Sikh army'' are said to have about 450 settlements in the country as well as in Britain, the U.S. and Canada, with a consolidated vote bank, which could be swayed by the chiefs.

Baba Santa Singh's tankhah was completed by ardas (Sikh prayer) at the end of the Akhand Path of Guru Granth Sahib, at the historic Gurdwara Likhinsar Sahib, adjacent to Takht Damdama Sahib here this morning. Though the development may have put to rest various controversies, it has brought the spotlight back on other issues of the community.

After completion of various ceremonies, which included presenting of siropas by various Nihang organisations, Baba Santa Singh was taken in a procession to his headquarters in the chhawani (cantonment). His followers, dressed in their traditional indigo- blue uniforms and saffron turbans and waistbands presented an impressive show of martial arts and brandished their weapons, which included swords, double-barrel guns and automatic rifles. At the dera an elaborate lunch that included dalle (mutton preparation) and sweets was served.

Baba Santa Singh, was the last person to have remained excommunicated for his alleged ``religious misconduct'' related to Operation Bluestar. After today's ardas Giani Partap Singh, former head Granthi of Takht Hazoor Sahib at Nanded, said that it should be clear that Baba Santa Singh was the head of the Budha Dal, which claims to be the real descendant of the legacy of Guru Gobind Singh. Baba Nihal Singh Harianbelanwalla, chief of the Taruna Dal sect of the Nihangs, also sought to recognise Baba Santa Singh's leadership.

The SGPC and the Akal Takht Jathedar have been quoted for recognising Baba Balbir Singh, who was appointed chief of the sect following Baba Santa Singh's excommunication. Talking to The Hindu chiefs of various sects said that Nihangs were governed by their own rules and traditions, where they did not tolerate any interference and stressed that the SGPC had no locus standi. ``A Nihang once elected as the chief of the sect, remains the head as long as he lives,'' said one chief.

Once considered a confidante of Indira Gandhi and Mr. Buta Singh, a jubilant Baba Santa Singh termed the decision of the Government to carry out Operation Bluestar as one taken in haste.

Had the Government approached the Sikh Panth the matter could have been resorted amicably, he said.

Baba Santa Singh defended his decision to conduct the kar sewa after Operation Bluestar, as it was part of the Budha Dal's tradition to protect the Akal Takat. It was the Budha Dal, which had rebuilt the Akal Takht, after it was razed by the Afghan invader, Ahmad Shah Abdali.

He lamented that through a well orchestrated conspiracy, his opponents maligned him using his gesture to salvage the tarnished image of the entire community, which had been labeled as ``terrorists''. Most conspirators were either dead or sidelined due to their own misdeeds, he pointed out.

To another question, Baba Santa Singh said he submitted before the Akal Takht as a ``humble devotee'' to uphold its ``supremacy and sovereignty''. He said it was his desire to remove all misgivings before the Sikh community, which he wanted to prosper.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : National
Previous : Venkataswami may begin work this week
Next     : Sonia should quit on moral grounds: RSS chief