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World Sikh Convention to Debate Clergy's Role

By AJAY BHARADWAJ

The Times of India, Chandigarh (Punjab, India), Jul. 15, 2003

"In what is being seen as rising skepticism over decisions taken by the Akal Takht, a 'world Sikh convention' has been convened on Sep. 14 to discuss the role of the Sikh clergy. This was decided at a meeting held here on Tuesday by a group of Sikh scholars and intellectuals belonging to the World Sikh Council, Sikh Khalsa Panchayat and others led by Gurtej Singh, [S.G.P.C. National Professor] of Sikhism. The meeting urged the [Akal] Takht jathedar to rescind the excommunication of controversial Sikh writer [Gurbakhsh] Singh Kala Afghana. Jathedar Joginder Singh Vedanti had excommunicated Kala Afghana last week for what was termed as 'blasphemous' writings by him which violated the spirit of gurbani [Sikh scriptures]. Those who attended the meeting included Rajinder Singh of S.K.P., Maj. General (Retd.) Narinder Singh (W.S.C.) and Ajit Singh Bains, a human rights leader."
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