Latest news with #AkalTakht
Indian Express
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Dhami's meeting with Dhumma fails to yield a breakthrough
A day after the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) accused Damdami Taksal head Harnam Singh Dhumma of 'acting under the influence of government agencies', Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami on Monday met Dhumma in a bid to ease tensions. Dhumma drew SAD flak after he declared that Akal Takht acting Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargarj would 'not be allowed to deliver any message' to the Sikh community on the 40th anniversary of Operation Blue Star on June 6. 'Gargarj is not recognised as a Panth-approved Jathedar and has already been declared 'tankhaiya' (under religious penalty) by the Panj Pyare by the Takht Patna Sahib,' Dhumma had said. Questioning Dhumma's motives, SAD leader Parambans Singh Romana said, 'Is this being done at someone's behest? On one hand, we had a Taksal head who sacrificed his life for the dignity of the Akal Takht, while on the other, we have one acting as an agent trying to derail events meant to pay tributes to martyrs.' Dhami's meeting with Dhumma failed to yield a breakthrough as the latter remained adamant on his position and warned of 'serious consequences' if his concerns were not addressed. Speaking after the meeting, Dhumma said, 'We support peace during the June 6 events, but someone who lacks legitimacy cannot be allowed to issue messages on behalf of the Takht. If such actions continue, tensions will escalate. The SGPC has assured us that they will seek a resolution.' Romana had also said, 'Every year, the Sikh community organises programmes to pay homage to the martyrs. Sadly, Harnam Singh Dhumma is trying to sabotage these commemorations.'
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Giani Gargaj pushes for unity as Taksal to oppose his Akal Takht address during Op Bluestar anniversary event
A day after the announcement by Damdami Taksal chief Harnam Singh Dhumma regarding preventing acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj from delivering a message from the platform of Akal Takht during an event marking Operation Bluestar anniversary on June 6, Gargaj called for panthic unity on Sunday. The announcement has left the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) worried as in such a situation, it may be challenging for it to maintain peace during the commemoration. On Monday, an SGPC delegation, led by president Harjinder Singh Dhami, will meet the Damdami Taksal chief. Reiterating that Gargaj's appointment was not made in accordance with the Sikh 'rehat maryada' (code of conduct), Dhumma had on Saturday said the community does not accept Gargaj as a legitimate jathedar, and any attempt by him to deliver a message would be strongly opposed by the Damdami Taksal and other Sikh organisations,' he said. Meanwhile, Simranjit Singh Mann, president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), said any attempt to silence Giani Gargaj is unjust and divisive. 'We will not allow such a misconduct. Sri Akal Takht Sahib is Sikhs' spiritual throne. Here, we must gather with humility and respect to remember our martyrs through prayer,' he said. 'From Abdali to Indira Gandhi, many have attacked Sri Akal Takht Sahib, but it has always stood firm. We urge Baba Harnam Singh Dhumma to uphold the sanctity of this Takht and show seriousness and respect in his statements,' he said. An SGPC official, requesting anonymity, said, 'Maintaining peace during the event will be a big challenge.' Harjinder Singh Dhami will lead an SGPC delegation to meet Dhumma on Monday. In a press release issued by the SGPC office, he stated that the purpose of the meeting with the head of Damdami Taksal is to strengthen the panthic unity and to prevent any kind of confrontation during the event. Dhami admitted to being concerned about the current situation but expressed confidence in finding a meaningful resolution. Meanwhile, Giani Gargaj also appealed to the entire Sikh community to commemorate these days with the spirit of panthic unity and pay respectful homage to the 'martyrs'. He said, 'The Sikh community can never forget the military attack of June 1984. The first week of June each year is a deeply emotional and solemn time for the Panth, when martyrs are remembered. These martyrs sacrificed their lives for the nation, and they will always hold a place of utmost respect in the hearts of the Sikhs'. Gargaj said, 'From time to time, certain forces have covertly attempted to prevent the Sikh community from remembering the martyrs of June 1984 and to sow division within the Khalsa Panth. However, the community has always remembered its martyrs with unwavering spirit (chardi kala) and will continue to do so. The panth needs unity, not division.'
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
SGPC team to meet Damdami Taksal chief Baba Harnam Singh Dhumma, seminary adamant
Amritsar: Damdami Taksal, Chowk Mehta, is sticking to its stance of not letting the officiating jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, to deliver a message on the 41st Operation Bluestar anniversary on June 6, despite the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) announcing a meeting with the Sikh seminary's chief, Baba Harnam Singh Dhumma, on June 2. "We welcome the SGPC's delegation to meet and discuss, but we stand by our decision of preventing Giani Gargaj from delivering the message to the quom on Ghallughara Diwas on June 6," Avtar Singh Buttar, a senior sewadar of Damdami Taksal, said on Sunday. A day after Damdami Taksal asked SGPC to stop Gargaj from delivering the message from the rostrum of Akal Takht, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami said he would lead a delegation to meet Baba Harnam Singh on June 2 to prevent any kind of confrontation during the event. Dhami conceded he was concerned about the situation, but expressed confidence in finding a solution. The taksal's objection centres on the legitimacy of Gargaj's appointment and authority as the officiating jathedar of the Akal Takht. After taksal's warning and before the SGPC's decision to send a delegation to meet Dhumma, Gargaj, in a release issued from the Akal Takht secretariat, appealed to the Sikh community to commemorate the 'Shaheedi Hafta (martyrdom week)' of June 1984 event with the spirit of "panthic" (Sikh community) unity and pay homage to those killed during Operation Bluestar. Avtar Singh Buttar said the SGPC could consider asking another Sikh religious leader, such as one of the other high priests, a head granthi, or a widely respected Sikh personality, to deliver the message instead. He said Damdami Taksal remained firm in its decision. If Gargaj delivers the address from the Akal Takht rostrum on June 6, the taksal, along with the entire Sant Samaj, various Sikh sects, Sikh federations, Nihang Singh organisations, and the broader Sikh Panth, will strongly oppose the move, he added.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Once led by Bhindranwale, Damdami Taksal says won't let SGPC jathedar speak at Op Bluestar event
Amritsar: Mehta Chowk-based Sikh seminary Damdami Taksal chief Baba Harnam Singh Dhumma has asked the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to prevent the officiating jathedar of the Akal Takht, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, from delivering a message to the Sikh community from the Akal Takht rostrum on June 6, the anniversary of . Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The chief of Damdami Taksal, which was once led by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, has said if SGPC failed to stop Gargaj from issuing the message, Damdami Taksal and other Sikh groups will strongly oppose the move. He added if any confrontation arose in the process, the SGPC will be held responsible, both directly and indirectly. "To avoid any conflict or division within the quom (community), the SGPC and Punjab govt must act with wisdom and fulfil their responsibilities," said Dhumma, whose statement came during a meeting at the Damdami Taksal headquarters in Mehta Chowk on Saturday. Dhumma, who has grown closer to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) since his support to the party's Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra in Nov last year, said Gargaj had not been accepted by the panth (Sikh community) as jathedar. He claimed that Gargaj's appointment was made in violation of established maryada (the Sikh code of religious conduct). As per established tradition, the Akal Takht jathedar pays tribute to those killed in Operation Bluestar during a shaheedi samagam (martyrdom event) held by SGPC on June 6 and deliver a message to the Sikh community from the rostrum of the Akal Dhumma said the panth did not recognise Gargaj as the legitimate jathedar. "Therefore, any message delivered by him from the ramparts of Akal Takht Sahib will not be acceptable, he added. "The Damdami Taksal, along with the entire Sant Samaj, Sikh sects, Sikh federations, Nihang Singh organisations, and the broader Sikh panth, will strongly oppose such a move," said Dhumma. He also accused SGPC of violating religious protocol under political influence. "The jathedar was appointed around 2.30am at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, without the parkash of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, and an announcement was made appointing Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj by simply offering siropa (robe of honour)," he recalled. "This act has created a serious crisis within the panth," Dhumma added.
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Punjab: SGPC panel meets Takht Patna Sahib mgmt over edict dispute
In an effort to resolve the ongoing controversy stemming from the rejection of an edict issued by the Akal Takht, a delegation from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) met with the management committee of Takht Sri Patna Sahib on Thursday. The meeting aimed to address the discord caused after the Panj Pyare (five beloved ones) of Takht Patna Sahib opposed the directive from the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhism. The SGPC delegation included senior vice-president Raghujit Singh Virk, members Gurcharan Singh Grewal and Gurbachan Singh Karmunwala, and assistant secretary Jaswinder Singh Jassi. The team was constituted by SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami specifically to engage in dialogue with the leadership of the Bihar-based Takht and seek a resolution to the conflict. Speaking after the meeting, SGPC member Gurcharan Singh Grewal stated that the differences following the Akal Takht's edict had significantly impacted the Sikh community. 'To address the situation, the SGPC chief formed this committee to hold discussions with the Takht Patna Sahib management. The aim is to restore harmony through dialogue,' he said. Grewal added that the Takht Patna Sahib committee had expressed its support for the edict issued by its Panj Pyare. 'We conveyed the SGPC's position, which aligns with the Akal Takht's directive. Despite the disagreement, both sides are committed to resolving the issue amicably,' he stated. The SGPC committee will now prepare and submit a detailed report of the meeting to the SGPC president for further action.
