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At a time when a new row is emerging in Sikh circles over whether or not the Akal Takht should be convening a Sarv Dharam Sammelan (an all religion conclave) and allegations are flying thick about the motive behind the kar sewa of Darshani Deodhi, the larger issue of getting from the UNESCO the World Heritage Status for Harmandir Sahib has once again moved centerstage.
The SGPC, which at one stage pulled out all stops to pitch for such a status for Sri Darbar Sahib, has now decided to reconsider the issue after a pointed reference from the Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission. The Commission had received a petition seeking direction to the SGPC to consider the issue of getting world heritage status for Harmandar Sahib and had ruled in April this year that the decision to reject and withdraw the dossier on the Golden Temple for seeking the world heritage status was taken in ''haste'' and hence needed to be re-considered in the larger interest of the Panth.
It had asked the SGPC Executive to constitute various sub-committees of experts to delve deeper into the issue.
Punjabi University Vice-Chancellor Dr Jaspal Singh has now been tasked with once again studying afresh the dossier which was got prepared four years ago and also look into the implications of the world heritage status for the holiest of the Sikh shrines. Prof Prithipal Singh Kapoor, a renowned Sikh scholar and pro-VC, Guru Nanak Dev University, Jasbir Singh Sabar, former Prof, GND University, and now working with the SGPC as in charge of Gurmat classes, Dr Gurnek Singh, Punjabi University, Waryam Singh, joint secretary, SGPC Dharam Prachar Committee, and Dr Jodh Singh, Punjabi University are also part of the panel.
SGPC sets up panel to study the dossier afresh after gurdwara judicial commission directive
A report in the regional daily The Tribune said advice of legal luminaries is also being sought. During the tenure of Bibi Jagir Kaur as president of the SGPC, a decision was taken to close this case on the plea that there was no need for getting world heritage status for Harmandar Sahib. Professor Kapoor, who was also a member of the earlier committee, gave a dissenting note that no decision should be taken in a hurry.
SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar has confirmed that the dossier was now under review and the outcome of the panel's delibreations will decide whether the SGPC will go ahead with seeking the world heritage status from Unesco.
The petition before the Gurdwara Judicial Commission was filed by Dal Khalsa general secretary Kanwarpal Singh and Karnail Singh Panjoli, member, SGPC.
Meanwhile, massive criticism is on of the decision to have an all religion conclave at the Akal Takht. Some experts are of the view that while there was nothing wrong with an inter faith meeting, holding such a conclave under the aegis of Akal Takht could have been avoided. The decision for such a gathering was taken at a meeting of five Sikh high priests at the Akal Takht secretariat last Wednesday. Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh has said the dates for the sammelan would be announced after consultation with the SGPC.
The Takht authorities said the sammelan will help discuss how to counter the dera culture.