SGPC committee criticises Patna Sahib resolution challenging Akal Takht authority
Amritsar: Members of the committee constituted by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to resolve the ongoing issue concerning Takht Sri Harmandir Ji Patna Sahib have called a recent resolution passed by the Patna Sahib Management Committee — challenging a decision of Akal Takht — unprincipled and against Sikh tenets.
A release issued by SGPC here on Wednesday informed that the senior vice-president of SGPC Raghujit Singh Virk, along with committee members Gurcharan Singh Grewal and Gurbachan Singh Karmuwala, said that as per Sikh Rehat Maryada, Akal Takht has the supreme authority among other Takhts and has full jurisdiction to adjudicate appeals and decisions on religious matters across Sikh institutions.
The leaders pointed out that Article 79 of the Constitution and by-laws of Takht Sri Harmandir Ji Patna Sahib also affirms the authority of Akal Takht in religious affairs, and its decisions are considered final and binding in the Sikh tradition. They added that the resolution passed by the Patna Sahib Committee seems to be a direct challenge to the supremacy of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, which is not a cordial approach. While acknowledging that the Patna Sahib committee may have acted in haste, the SGPC leaders reaffirmed that their delegation will still visit Patna Sahib and work toward a resolution through dialogue and mutual respect.
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