Former Damdami Taksal spokesperson questions narrative on June 6 Ardas and Jathedar appointment
Amritsar: A war of words has erupted within Sikh religious circles after the Akal Takht's officiating Jathedar, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, was accused of bypassing a long-standing tradition by not delivering the customary June 6 'sandesh' — a formal message to the Sikh community on the anniversary of
Operation Bluestar
, a 1984 military operation to smoke out holed up terrorists from the Golden Temple.
Former Damdami Taksal spokesperson Sarchand Singh has pushed back against attempts by the Akal Takht secretariat and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to suggest that Giani Gargaj's 'sandesh' was embedded within his 'Ardas' (prayer), arguing that this kind of claims reflect a basic misunderstanding of Sikh religious practice. "An Ardas is a humble supplication to the Guru; a 'sandesh' is a directive message to the 'quom' (community)," Sarchand Singh said.
"There was nothing new or directive in this year's Ardas compared to previous commemorations. To equate the two is misleading."
The criticism follows mounting scrutiny over Giani Gargaj's role and legitimacy. Sarchand Singh expressed dismay that Gargaj — who was declared 'tankhaiya' (guilty of religious misconduct) by the Panj Pyare at Takht Patna Sahib — was given a 'Siropa' (robe of honour) reportedly at the Akal Takht, despite Sikh tradition dictating that a 'tankhaiya' must first complete prescribed penance and receive formal absolution before being honoured at any Takht.
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Sarchan Singh said: "Offering a Siropa to someone declared tankhaiya without due absolution sets a dangerous precedent. This violates religious protocol directly." The controversy also reignites long-standing debates over the SGPC's authority to appoint Jathedars. While acknowledging that the SGPC holds administrative power over Takht appointments, Taksal's former spokesperson asserted that this kind of decisions lacked spiritual legitimacy unless endorsed by broader Sikh institutions.
He said: "The identity of the Panth cannot be upheld if Sikh sects, Nihang groups, and Sabha societies are excluded from the process. Jathedars are being appointed like SGPC employees, diminishing the stature and sanctity of these positions. The dispute highlights deeper fissures within Sikh religious governance, raising fresh questions about accountability, tradition, and the role of representative consent in decisions affecting the global Sikh community.
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