A few members of a committee, its convener Darshan Singh, professor emeritus of Punjabi University, and former SGPC secretary Gurbachan Singh Bachan today met Jathedar Vedanti at Akal Takht secretariat and made the suggestion. “Let there be a permanent experts’ panel that keeps a watch on the controversial issues and advises the jathedars,” he said.

He also suggested that a committee was must to review the Sikh Rehat Maryada (code of conduct). “Not the Sikh Gurus, but the panth has framed the maryada, so there is a scope for its review,” he said, adding that the issue of Nanakshahi calendar, performing of ardaas and even the definition of a Sikh have been adopted differently by different people and organisations.

Bachan and Darshan Singh also expressed concern over the political leaders using religious issues to their advantage. “The religious institutions misused by political leaders lose credibility,” they said.