Row after Sukhbir declared ‘tankhaiya': Golden Temple head granthi extends support to jathedar Giani Gargaj
A day after denouncing the Takht Patna Sahib 'panj pyaras' move to declare Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal 'tankhaiya' (guilty of religious misconduct) for failing to appear before them, Giani Gargaj paid obeisance at the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple during presence of Giani Raghbir Singh.
Giani Raghbir Singh, ever since being removed as Akal Takht jathedar unceremoniously a few months ago by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) executive committee, has avoided meeting his successor.
However, on Sunday he wished Giani Gargaj with folded hands when the latter paid obeisance. He also presented Giani Gargaj with a 'siropa' (robe of honour), garland of flowers and prasad.
In an official communique, a spokesperson of the Akal Takht secretariat termed this gesture as an act of backing and cooperating with the acting jathedar on the matter of Akal Takht's supremacy.
The official statement claimed that during the meeting of Sikh clergy presided over by Giani Gargaj at Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs, over the issue, Giani Raghbir Singh extended his support by sending his junior granthis—Giani Sultan Singh, Giani Rajdeep Singh and Giani Kewal Singh—for the meeting.
Giani Raghbir Singh has been unhappy since he was removed by the SAD-controlled gurdwara body allegedly in wake of December 2 edict of the Sikh clergy led by him, that called for change of the party leadership, comprising Sukhbir Singh Badal, and constituted a panel to reorganise the party, besides stripping Sukhbir's father and former CM Parkash Singh Badal title of 'Panth Rattan-Fakhr-e-Qaum'.
On Saturday, Sikh clergy from Akal Takht rejected the Patna Sahib's edict that declared Sukhbir tankhaiya for not responding to their summons. Earlier, the Bihar-based Sikh temporal seat had declared Giani Gargaj and Takht Damdama Sahib jathedar Tek Singh Dhanaula tankhaiya.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Debate over having Sikh Regiment in British Army resurfaces, but UK MoD says no such plans
File photo LONDON: The debate over whether there should be a Sikh regiment in the British armed forces has resurfaced but the ministry of defence (MoD) insists there are no such plans. The debate was triggered after Lord Sahota asked defence minister Lord Coaker in the House of Lords on July 7 whether there was any progress on having a Sikh regiment in the British Army, given the loyalty of Sikh soldiers in both world wars. Coaker replied, 'Let me consider that request from my noble friend. I am quite happy to meet him to see what more we can do to recognise the contribution of soldiers such as Sikhs.' This led to UK headlines such as 'Minister open to British Army Sikh regiment proposal'. But MoD sources told TOI: 'Over the years there have been conversations about this, but it would breach Britain's anti-discriminatory laws. There are no current plans for a Sikh regiment as it goes against the Equality Act. We want to do something to recognise Sikh contributions in some way, but not through a Sikh regiment.' Lord Sahota, whose grandfathers served in the British Indian army, including the 15th Punjab Regiment, told TOI: 'I don't think it would go against the Equality Act.' He pointed out the British Army has had the Staffordshire regiment and currently has the Brigade of Gurkhas, the Royal Yorkshire Regiment, Royal Welsh and Royal Regiment of Scotland and so on.'It doesn't mean other faiths like Hindus, Muslim or Christians wouldn't be able to serve in a Sikh regiment. If you are in the Royal Regiment of Scotland, it doesn't mean you have to be Scottish.'. 'We are struggling to recruit ethnic minorities in this country,' he said, and so having a Sikh Regiment would give Sikhs a 'reason to join.' 'They would wear turbans and have beards and it would reflect Sikh heritage and values,' he said. 'It would foster a better relationship with other countries such as India and South Asia as well,' he added. There are estimated to be only 200 Sikhs in the British Armed Forces currently. 'People tend to go in the army if their grandfather was in it. Sikhs don't have that role model here,' Sahota said. He said if there was a Punjab or Sikh Regiment they would have that role model. 'There are more than 700k Sikhs in the UK. I am sure quite a few would be prepared to follow in their great grandfather's footsteps. King Charles even told a Sikh soldier he wanted to see more Sikhs in the British Army,' the Labour life peer added.
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
9-member Tipra Motha delegation to meet EC officials in New Delhi, raise issue of illegal immigration from Bangladesh
Tipra Motha founder Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma Saturday announced that the Election Commission (EC) has invited a delegation of his party to New Delhi to discuss the issue of illegal migration from Bangladesh. In a post on X, Pradyot Kishore said, 'After continuous uproar and media attention from all of us from TIPRA Motha, the Election Commission of India has invited us to discuss the matter of illegal migration from Bangladesh to India on the 23rd of July…' He also said, 'My only answer to all those who continue to criticise us – at least we are trying to protect our next generation and looking beyond party politics. This is not just a fight of the TIPRA Motha Party but every Indian. Please rise above party politics and unite against illegal migration.' A Tipra Motha spokesperson announced that the party would send a nine-member team headed by Pradyot Kishore to meet EC officials. The other members of the team are Minister Animesh Debbarma, Minister of State Brishaketu Debbarma, Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) Chairman Jagadish Debbarma, TTAADC Chief Executive Member Purna Chandra Jamatia, and MLAs Ranjit Debbarma, Pathan Lal Jamatia, Philip Kumar Reang, and Sadagar Kalai. Tipra Motha legislator Ranjit Debbarma had recently said that though BJP-ruled states like Assam and Gujarat have adopted strong steps against illegal immigrants, the Tripura government was yet to do so. The EC invite also comes just days after Pradyot Kishore demanded a Bihar-style Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Tripura, alleging that scores of Bangladeshis have procured Aadhaar cards illegally in the northeastern state in connivance with corrupt government officials. Meanwhile, it has been learnt that the state government has decided to form a task force in each district to detect and deport illegal migrants. Each task force would be headed by a senior police officer, while officers-in-charge of different police stations of the district concerned would be members. Earlier in the month, such a task force was formed only in the West Tripura district.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Terror recruitment case: Counter intelligence raids across 4 Kashmir districts, detains 10
Srinagar: The Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) wing of the Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday conducted extensive raids across four districts of the Valley in a terror-linked case involving recruitment and encrypted communication with cross-border handlers. Ten suspects have been detained for questioning. Officials said the searches were carried out in Srinagar, Budgam, Pulwama and Ganderbal after obtaining warrants from the special NIA court in Srinagar in connection with FIR No. 07/2023 under sections of the UAPA and IPC. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Design Thinking Degree Others Digital Marketing Data Analytics others Artificial Intelligence Leadership MCA Project Management CXO Management Finance Data Science Healthcare Public Policy Data Science Technology Product Management Cybersecurity Operations Management healthcare MBA PGDM Skills you'll gain: Duration: 25 Weeks IIM Kozhikode CERT-IIMK PCP DTIM Async India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 22 Weeks IIM Indore CERT-IIMI DTAI Async India Starts on undefined Get Details "Suspicious technical signatures" were detected at ten locations, with several suspects found using encrypted messaging applications commonly used by terrorist handlers for recruitment, coordination, and financing of terror activities. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Most Beautiful Twins in The World! Undo "These individuals are suspected to be in contact with adversaries, including Abdullah Gazi, a Pakistan-based LeT/JeM handler," a CIK statement said. The raids are part of an ongoing investigation into a militant recruitment and financing module linked to Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Toiba , allegedly operating from a known city in Pakistan. Live Events Investigators claimed access to the encrypted app server confirmed continuous contact between handlers and local youth, aimed at radicalising and recruiting them. Digital devices and documentary evidence "having bearing on the case" were seized during the operation. Officials said the seized data would be analysed, with leads forming the basis for further action.
