Condolences pour in from across political spectrum

Tribune News Service

Amritsar May 24

Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh sent condolence messages on Monday through Chairman Medium Industry Corporation Amarjit Singh Tikka during the bhog ceremony of former Jathedar of Akal Takht Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti who passed away recently.

Wife donates Rs10L cheque to Covid care fund

• Bibi Jagir Kaur presented a cheque of Rs 10 lakh to Harbhajan Kaur, wife of Jathedar Vedanti, as an honourarium, but the latter donated it back to the SGPC's Covid Care Fund.
• Dr Manmohan Singh referred him as a scholar as well as having proficiency in Gurbani. In his message, he also said while being a Jathedar he had done many important things for the Sikh Panth.

On the occasion, Tikka said the CM has announced to name the government school at Talwandi Kalan in Ludhiana after Jathedar Vedanti, who has devoted his entire life to propagating the philosophy of Guru Sahib, The village panchayat has been asked to pass a resolution in this regard.

Dr Manmohan Singh, in his message said, he was deeply shocked to hear the news of Jathedar Vedanti’s demise. He referred him as a good scholar as well as having proficiency in Gurbani and while being a Jathedar he had done many important things for the Sikh Panth. He believed that Jathedar Vedanti’s untimely death had come as a shock to the Sikh Panth and its admirers.

In the message sent by the Capt Amarinder Singh, he said, Jathedar Vedanti had rendered his services well during his tenure as head Granthi of Golden Temple.

Meanwhile, the ‘antim ardas’ was performed amid presence of Panthic personalities at Gurdwara Sangrana Sahib which was attended by Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur and head priest of Golden Temple Giani Jagtar Singh.

Bibi Jagir Kaur presented a cheque of Rs 10 lakh to Harbhajan Kaur, wife of Jathedar Vedanti, as an honourarium but the latter donated it back to the SGPC’s Covid Care Fund.

Giani Harpreet Singh expressed to extend special honour to Jathedar Vedanti posthumously keeping in view his services to the Panth and the issue would be taken up in the next Five High Priests’ meeting.