AMRITSAR: The 'jathedars' appointed by the Sarbat Khalsa on Thursday cancelled the 2014 edict of the Akal Takht , excommunicating former president of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) Jagdish Singh Jhinda from the Sikh Panth.Akal Takht jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh had excommunicated Jhinda, along with former Haryana finance minister Harmohinder Singh Chatha and Didar Singh Nalvi, on July 16, 2014, for breaking up from the SGPC to form the HSGMC.Talking to TOI on Thursday, Sarbat Khalsa appointed 'jathedar' of Takht Damdama Sahib Baljit Singh Daduwal said that they were of view that Jhinda had carried out a peaceful movement for the welfare of gurdwaras of Haryana and the edict excommunicating him was taken under political pressure. He said Jhinda had written a letter to them to clarify his point of view, so they had asked him to appear before the Akal Takht on Thursday.He said they were of the collective view that struggling for gurdwaras while maintaining maryada (religious code of conduct) was not wrong. Daduwal said Jhinda became a victim of political manoeuvres so the 'jathedars' appointed by the Sarbat Khalsa had decided to reject the July 16, 2014, edict issued by the Akal Takht jathedar. On April 4, Jhinda had appeared before the Sikh high priests appointed by the SGPC, who pronounced religious atonement upon him for rejoining the Sikh Panth. Jhinda underwent it and was taken back into the Sikh fold.When asked as to why he wished to appear before the Sarbat Khalsa 'jathedars' when he had already joined the Panth, Jhinda replied, "That was a kind of government approved place whereas this is a socially approved place. I thought to first adopt the 'legal' course and then go to 'sangat'.

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